Question

Temperature (°C)
Volume of CO, Produced (mL)
10°C
2 mL
25°C
15 mL
40°C
28 mL
65°C
0 mL
1. Describe the trend seen in the data between 10°C and 40°C.
2. Suggest a scientific reason why the volume of CO, produced dropped to 0 mL at 65°C.

Answer 1

1. Between 10°C and 40°C the volume of CO2 produced increases steadily (2 mL → 15 mL → 28 mL). This shows a positive correlation: as temperature rises the reaction/gas production increases (roughly +13 mL for each 15°C step here).

2. A likely scientific reason is thermal inactivation (denaturation) of the biological catalyst or microbes responsible for producing CO2. At ∼65°C protein structure (including enzyme active sites) is disrupted, so the reaction stops and no gas is produced. (As an alternative explanation, experimental failure at high temperature — e.g. leaks or loss of substrate — could also cause a reading of 0 mL.)