...Enzymes are fundamental proteins which act as effective catalysts for biochemical reactions within an organism. Enzymes are distinct from one another; they attach themselves to specific slots on substrates called active sites to lower the activation energy to start the chemical reaction. This is represented by the lock and key model, where the shape of the enzyme directly corresponds to the substrate to carry out a specific job. An enzyme is able to be used until it becomes denatured, or when the active spot of the enzyme changes shape due to high temperatures, or pH and salinity changes. In this lab, an important enzyme in animals called catalase, which is essential to catalyze the breakdown of Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2), was tested. Hydrogen...
Words: 254 - Pages: 2
...Lab Report #2 Name: Lab: #9 Enzymes – Experiment #4 Due date: Purpose The purpose of the experiment is to compare and examine the effect of substrate concentration on catalase activity. Introduction All chemical reactions require a catalyst. A type of catalyst that exists is an enzyme, which acts to bring out a specific biochemical reaction. At all times, all work inside a cell is being performed by enzymes (Brian, 2000). The purpose of an enzyme is to help the cell carry out reactions very quickly. An interaction must be made for a reaction to become catalyzed. The active site is where this interaction between the enzyme and the reactant and/or reactants takes place. In order for the enzyme to work efficiently and properly, the reactant (or substrate) must position itself perfectly within the active site. Most enzymes usually only can catalyze a single chemical reaction, which is called specificity (Introduction To Enzymes, n.d.). Enzymes can also operate to an optimal extent where chemical reactions can occur rapidly and with the upmost efficiency, under certain conditions known as the enzyme’s optimum activity (Boli, 2012). The many different conditions include environmental, such as pH and temperature, or concentrations of the substrates and enzymes. In this experiment, we examined a substance called catalase. Catalase is the isolated cells from potatoes and beef liver. As the substrate for the experiment, hydrogen peroxide was used at various different amounts...
Words: 1010 - Pages: 5
...The purpose of the enzyme lab conducted was to observe the chemical composition of cells. In order to do so we tested for the presence of organic molecules. Molecules are what forms when atoms bond together. Organic molecules of cells include proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids, which are composed of smaller molecules known as monomers and polymers. Polymers are joined monomers. A chemical reaction links monomers together occurs and releases a water molecule, this is called dehydration synthesis. Hydrolysis separates polymers into monomers by using water to break bonds. Organic catalysts called enzymes are proteins that increase the speed of a chemical reaction. In the lab we used Biuret reagent to test for proteins, iodine solution to test for starch, paper to test for lipids. In the first lab, we tested for the presence of proteins in samples by using blue solution called Biuret reagent, which changes to purple when a protein is present and pinkish-purple for peptides. First test tubes were marked at 1cm and then filled to the mark with water, albumin, pepsin, and starch. Next, five drops of Biuret reagent was added to the sample, covered with Parafilm, and swirled to mix. The water remained clear, indicating the sample lacked the presence of proteins, and thus was our negative control. The albumin sample observed changed to an orange-purple color, indicating the presence of protein. The peptin sample changed to a pink-purple hue, testing positive for presence of peptides...
Words: 1676 - Pages: 7
...What is the function of enzymes in a living system? Enzymes speed up metabolic reactions necessary for life. Without them certain vital processes would not take place and the body would be unable to function. Difference enzymes work better under different conditions. Where in a human body might it be beneficial to have enzymes work in very acidic environments? In areas, like the stomach, that have a pH of two would benefit by having enzymes that function well in acidic environments. An example of such an enzyme is pepsin. There is a large amount of catalase found in a human liver. Does the liver break down more hydrogen peroxide in the summer or winter? Explain your answer. More hydrogen peroxide will be broken down in the summer compared to the winter because higher body temperatures equals more enzyme activity. Many enzymes end with “ase”. Come up with your own enzyme, then name and explain what this enzyme does. Draw the enzyme and the substrate in the space provided below along with the enzyme-substrate complex. My enzyme would be olestrase. It would break down the lipid olestra and make it usable for the human body. Recent advances have allowed humans to mass-produce certain enzymes. Research one such enzyme and explain how this enzyme has been used to benefit society. Coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone) is a naturally occurring substance which has properties potentially beneficial for preventing cellular damage during myocardial ischemia and reperfusion. It plays...
Words: 849 - Pages: 4
...Enzyme Post Lab Report Type of Fruit Prediction Result Apple None None Orange None None Pineapple Take longer to dissolve into the Jello Broke through the Jello quicker than the heated pineapple Heated Apple None None Heated Orange None None Heated Pineapple Breakdown through the Jell-O fast Broke through the Jell-O slower than the regular pineapple Q.1.) The piece of pineapple is the fruit that contains the enzyme Bromelain Q.2.) It is possible to make Jello with canned pineapple chunks but not fresh pineapple chunks because the canned pineapple is the heated pineapple which will break through the jello, while the fresh pineapple will not. Q.3.) Heat speeds up the process, which affects enzymes, but too much heat destroys the enzymes. Cup...
Words: 429 - Pages: 2
...with or without it and some are actually killed by oxygen. Bacteria are generally classified into three main groups with respect to oxygen: 1. Obligate aerobes: Like humans, these organisms have an absolute requirement for oxygen. Because aerobic metabolism generates the toxic byproduct hydrogen peroxide, obligate aerobes must produce the enzyme catalase which breaks down hydrogen peroxide to water and oxygen gas. 2. Obligate anaerobes: Not only do these organisms not require oxygen, they are often killed in its presence. Because anaerobic metabolism does not generate hydrogen peroxide, obligate anaerobes generally do not produce catalase. The causative agent of botulism, Clostridium botulinum is an obligate anaerobe. Since the canning process removes the air, Clostridium botulinum can grow in inadequately sterilized canned foods. This isn't normally a problem in fresh foods since they are exposed to air. 3. Facultative anaerobes: These organisms will use oxygen in their metabolism if it is available, but can also grow without oxygen. Again, since aerobic metabolism generates hydrogen peroxide, they produce catalase. E. coli, which is normal flora of the intestine, is an example of a facultative anaerobe. In addition to these three basic categories of oxygen requirements, bacteria may also be classified as microaerophillic (requires oxygen, but can only tolerate limited amounts), aerotolerant anaerobe (grows in the presence of oxygen, but never uses aerobic...
Words: 1075 - Pages: 5
... |Liow Yi Sheng | | |Foo Yong Hao | |Practical Group |P13 | |Date of lab class |13/7/2015 | |Program |Foundation in Science | |Unit code |FHSB1214 | |Unit description |Biology I | |Year and trimester of study |2015, Trimester 1 | |Title of lab report |Investigation of the effects of different catalytic conditions on hydrogen peroxide | | |decomposition | |Lecturer’s name |Ms.Ting Jen Ching...
Words: 1476 - Pages: 6
...IDENTIFICATION OF UNKNOWN BACTERIA It is virtually impossible to identify bacteria based on physical characteristics alone. This is due to the fact that there are only a few basic shapes and physical features commonly seen in the prokaryotic world. Instead, biochemical testing has been used to make bacterial identification down to the “species” level. These schemes are based on creating and matching biochemical profiles of the production of enzymes, acids and gases by isolated pure cultures of a given microorganism. Identification schemes and flow charts can be found in reference texts such as “Bergey’s Manual of Determinative Bacteriology” or “The Prokaryotes”. Each group of students will receive a TSA slant or broth containing a pure culture of an unknown bacterium belonging to the Family Enterobacteriaceae. It is the responsibility of the group to maintain stock cultures of the organism provided. Working stock cultures will be used to inoculate the various biochemical test media over the next several weeks and should be fresh and free from contaminants. A reserve stock culture should be made and after incubation and comparison with the original slant, kept with the original slant in the refrigerator. It is critically important that aseptic techniques are used during transfers and inoculations to prevent contamination of your cultures. If contamination is suspected, you will be able to fall back to your reserve stock. If you fail to maintain a reserve stock...
Words: 1553 - Pages: 7
...4/15/2015 BIO156 Lab 2 Print Lab 2 Biological Molecules and pH Introduction: Connecting Your Learning Biological organisms, like all things, are made up of elements. These elements combine to form organic molecules that create the basis for life. The main elements found in biological organisms include carbon (C), hydrogen (H), phosphorus (P), nitrogen (N), and oxygen (O). This lab describes how these elements form some of the most important molecules in life: carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Resources and Assignments Multimedia Resources Required Assignments None Lesson 2 Lab 2 From the Lab Kit 7 test tubes Benedict's solution Biuret solution 15 micropipettes 10 pipettes Forceps pH test strips 4 unknown samples https://www.riolearn.org/content/bio/BIO156/BIO156_INTER_0000_v9/labs/lab02.shtml?print 1/21 4/15/2015 BIO156 Lab 2 Measuring spoons (teaspoon and tablespoon) 50 mL beaker Mortar and pestle Glass stirring rod 100 mL graduated cylinder Microscope slide Plastic funnel Test tube tongs Test tube rack 5 plastic cups Goggles Plastic gloves 1 tablespoon baking soda 1 tablespoon chicken soup 4 tablespoons sugar Required Materials 1 tablespoon cornstarch 2 tablespoons unflavored gelatin Student Provided Small saucepan Paper towel Oven glove or mitt Baking tray or aluminum foil (about an 18-inch sheet) Scissors Pencil Dime Microwave (optional) or Stove Permanent marker https://www.riolearn...
Words: 3270 - Pages: 14
...Madeline M. Westrick Unknown 2 Unknown Lab Report INTRODUCTION In this study, each student was assigned a different unknown bacterium, with the task of identifying it correctly. Unknown 2 was Streptococcus pyogenes. S. pyogenes is gram-positive cocci that can result in human ailments that are classified as Streptococcal A infections, such as impetigo, cellulitis, erysipelas, and scarlet fever. The allotted testing time given was a total of four laboratory periods, or two weeks total. MATERIALS AND METHODS The unknown bacterial pathogen was presented via a liquid broth suspension in a double-walled glass test tube and on two nutrient agar (NA) plates. Its appearance was creamy yellow in color with sparse growth of medium-sized colonies...
Words: 1129 - Pages: 5
...beta-hemolysin or complete. Two days after our agar was put into the incubator at 37°C we added a drop of hydrogen peroxide to check for positive results. According to professor Harry Sdralis, “Catalase is an enzyme that breaks down hydrogen peroxide to oxygen and water.” After adding the drop of hydrogen peroxide, we waited to see if any bubbles were going to surface. If any bubbles were to form on the surface...
Words: 512 - Pages: 3
...Introduction Enzymes are protein molecules that catalyze chemical reactions in all living organisms. Enzymes allow living organisms to carry out complex chemical activities at low temperatures, but can’t cause a reaction that hasn’t occurred in their absence. Also, enzymes are thought to speed up reactions by bringing reacting molecules together to increase the chances that a reaction will occur (Worthington Biomedical Corporation, 2015). Each enzyme has a specific active site where the substrates attach. Many factors can affect enzyme activity such as temperature, pH, and the presence of inhibitors (John W. Kimball, 2014). The purpose of this lab was to examine factors affecting the enzyme function of peroxidase. In the 19th century French chemist Louis Jacques discovered catalysts. Catalysts are substances that enable a chemical reaction without participating in it, which led to specifically peroxidases. The structure of peroxidase is a very large enzymatic protein, and has complex molecules with complicated shapes involving multiple folding’s. The activity of peroxidase is dependent on pH. It exhibits maximum activity at a pH between 6.5 and 7.0. The activity of the enzyme is reduced when pH levels are increased. Peroxidase promotes the oxidation of various compounds naturally of peroxides, where hydrogen peroxide is reduced to form water (Wikimedia Foundation, 2015). Also peroxidases break compounds down into harmless substances by adding donor molecules. During this lab, the donor...
Words: 1834 - Pages: 8
...BIOL 3380 Name:_____________________________________ Circle Session: T-PM W-AM W-PM R-AM R-PM F-AM F-PM Experiment 9 – Pre-lab Homework Enzyme Kinetics of LDH This pre-lab homework assignment is due at the beginning of your lab session. You are provided with the following portion of a protocol: • Determine concentration of enzyme stock solution, if unknown, by taking an A280 nm reading of a 1:100 dilution (in water). Use a total volume of 1 ml in the cuvette. • Dilute some of the enzyme stock with buffer A to make a 4 mg/ml solution. • Serially dilute the 4 mg/ml solution with buffer A to make working solutions of 400 µg/ml and 40 µg/ml. • Prepare 30 µl of each working solution for every sample The PI of the lab gives you a tube of enzyme and tells you the following before disappearing into the office to write more grant proposals: ➢ There is 50 µl of enzyme stock solution. The enzyme is expensive to purify, so follow the protocol exactly, using as little of the stock solution as possible. ➢ The concentration of the stock solution is currently not known, but a 1 mg/ml concentration of the pure enzyme has an A280 nm of 2.0. ➢ You’ll be performing the assay on 12 samples. ➢ Make enough of each working solution so that you have at least 400 ul to work with when you do the assay (to cover any waste and/or inefficiencies in pippetting). Using the spectrophotometer to read the absorbance at 280 nm, you get...
Words: 3629 - Pages: 15
...Lab Manual Introductory Biology (Version 1.4) © 2013 eScience Labs, LLC All rights reserved www.esciencelabs.com • 888.375.5487 2 Table of Contents: Introduc on: Lab 1: Lab 2: Lab 3: Lab 4: The Scien fic Method Wri ng a Lab Report Data Measurement Introduc on to the Microscope Biological Processes: Lab 5: Lab 6: Lab 7: Lab 8: Lab 9: The Chemistry of Life Diffusion Osmosis Respira on Enzymes The Cell: Lab 10: Lab 11: Lab 12: Lab 13: Lab 14: Lab 15: Cell Structure & Func on Mitosis Meiosis DNA & RNA Mendelian Gene cs Popula on Gene cs 3 4 Lab Safety Always follow the instruc ons in your laboratory manual and these general rules: eScience Labs, LLC. designs every kit with safety as our top priority. Nonetheless, these are science kits and contain items which must be handled with care. Safety in the laboratory always comes first! Lab Prepara on • • Please thoroughly read the lab exercise before star ng! If you have any doubt as to what you are supposed to be doing and how to do it safely, please STOP and then: Double-check the manual instruc ons. Check www.esciencelabs.com for updates and ps. Contact us for technical support by phone at 1-888-ESL-Kits (1-888-375-5487) or by email at Help@esciencelabs.com. • Read and understand all labels on chemicals. If you have any ques ons or concerns, refer to the Material Safely Data Sheets (MSDS) available at www.esciencelabs.com. The MSDS lists the dangers, storage requirements, exposure treatment...
Words: 26048 - Pages: 105
...Clinical Microbiology Lab Final December 13, 2013 Table of content Gram Stain Technique……………………………………………………………………………………………… page 1 Culture Transfer Technique……………………………………………………………………………………… page 2 Acid-Fast Stain Technique………………………………………………………………………………………… page 3 The importance of the Gram Stain Technique to a physician……………………………………. page 4 The importance of varying shapes/colonies formation of bacteria……………………………. page 5 Spore Stain Technique………………………………………………………………………………………………. page 6 The Importance of incubation/protocol techniques…………………………………………………... page 7 The importance of various types of media for bacterial growth…………………………………. page 7 The importance of biochemical analysis in the microbial process……………………………… page 8 The importance of studying Clinical Microbiology and how the course will assist me in reaching my professional goals……………………….. page 9 Bibliography……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… page 10 Gram Stain Technique The Gram Stain is one of the most important differential stains used in bacteriology. (Cappuccino and Sherman, Microbiology A Laboratory Manual) Using the gram stain it is possible to determine purple gram-positive cells (S. aureus) from pink gram-negative cells (E. coli). The results of the Gram Stain make it possible to identify microorganisms by their shape, number and morphology. In a clinical setting these results can help in treatment by identifying the type of microorganism...
Words: 3500 - Pages: 14
