Experiment Summary: The Effect of Temperature on Enzyme Activity
Objective: The aim of this experiment was to investigate how varying temperatures affect the activity of the enzyme catalase, which is found in many living tissues and catalyzes the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen.
Methodology: We prepared a series of test tubes, each containing a fixed amount of hydrogen peroxide and catalase extracted from a potato. The test tubes were then placed in water baths set at different temperatures: 0°C, 25°C, 37°C, 50°C, and 70°C. After allowing the mixtures to equilibrate for a few minutes, we measured the volume of oxygen produced in each test tube over a 5-minute period. The experiment was conducted in triplicates to ensure reliability.
Results: The data collected showed that catalase activity increased with temperature up to 37°C, where the highest oxygen production was recorded. At temperatures higher than this, particularly at 50°C and 70°C, the activity dropped significantly, indicating that the enzyme was denatured due to the heat. The volume of oxygen produced at lower temperatures (0°C and 25°C) was also lower compared to the optimum temperature of 37°C.
Hypothesis Testing: Our hypothesis stated that enzyme activity would increase with temperature up to an optimum point and then decline due to denaturation. The results confirmed this hypothesis, as the enzyme activity peaked at 37°C and decreased at higher temperatures.
Homeostasis and Feedback Mechanisms: Enzymes, like catalase, function optimally within specific temperature ranges, illustrating the concept of homeostasis in biological systems. Homeostasis refers to the maintenance of stable internal conditions in an organism. In this case, the enzymatic activity represents a feedback mechanism where the body regulates various physiological processes (like temperature) to maintain conditions favorable for enzyme function. When the temperature deviated from the optimal range, the feedback mechanism resulted either in enhanced activity (within the range) or a decline (beyond the range), exemplifying how biological systems strive to achieve equilibrium.
Conclusion: The experiment successfully demonstrated how temperature affects enzyme activity, with optimal activity at physiological temperatures and decreased function due to denaturation at higher temperatures. This finding underlines the significance of maintaining homeostasis for proper enzymatic function and highlights the delicate balance necessary for biological processes.