Investigation 2C Lab Report

Investigation 2C Lab Report

           In this lab, we tested to see the rate of how fast the reaction with enzyme and hydrogen peroxide would create the product of oxygen. What we did was get a "reaction chamber" and put 4 stick 4 paper disks that had been previously soaked in enzyme to one side of it. We then tipped over the chamber so that the side with the disks was facing up. Next we poured 10 mL of hydrogen peroxide into the bottom of the chamber, so that it is not touching the enzyme. Next, we filled up a pan with water and we filled up a graduated cylinder with water. We then flipped the beaker over, so that it still filled with water, but is also upside down (it's mouth is in the pan of water. We then attached a cap to the reaction chamber that only lets gas out, and nothing in. Next we put the chamber into the pan of water, and flipped it over so that they hydrogen peroxide is touching the enzyme.  A reaction happened, letting bubbles go into the graduated cylinder. We did this two times, once with disks and once with three. For 10 minutes we measured how much gas went into the graduated cylinder. These bubbles are oxygen, a product of the reaction.

          We did this experiment so that my classmates and I could have a direct representation of a product of a reaction. My class is studying how organisms gain energy through what is released during a reaction and it was important that we understand how products are made. 

          As you can see by my table, my reactions gave off a ton of oxygen. With four disks of enzyme, and 10 mL of hydrogen peroxide, there was 18 mL of oxygen given off and with three disks of enzyme and 10 mL of hydrogen peroxide, there was 9 mL of oxygen given off. Before this experiment, I had no idea how much less dense gas is than liquid. This showcases it because the liquid goes from 10mL as a liquid, and then only a bit of that becomes 18mL of gas. This was absolutely mind blowing to me. Also, as you can see in my table, the enzyme reacts with the liquid as continuously as time goes on. Previously, I though that this reaction  was immediate. We later learned in class that eventually it would stop reacting because it would run out of materials. In conclusion, this experiment was interesting and taught me a lot. I am looking forward to more just like it in the future.