Description
For 32 students working in 8 groups of 4. With this kit, students explore the basics of enzymes. Students investigate the enzyme catalase that enhances the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, a toxic by-product of cellular metabolism. They determine how enzyme and substrate concentration affect enzyme activity by graphing rate vs. concentration. They then examine how temperature and pH affect catalase activity by graphing rate vs. temperature and rate vs. pH. By adjusting enzyme concentration, substrate concentration, temperature, and pH, students optimize the conditions for the enzymatic reaction.