Effects of Temperature on Enzyme Activity

(Liver)

Group:
Alice, Charice, Holly, Lala, Janet
October 27, 2016
Honor Code: On my honor, I have neither received nor given any unauthorized aid
on this assignment.

INTRODUCTION:
According to Biology Reference, enzymes are highly specific biological
catalysts. Without enzymes, the human body would not exist because the chemical
reactions would not occur fast enough to maintain the body. Enzymes create an
environment to make the reaction more favorable. This environment is called the
active site. The active site is lined with amino acids whose side chains bind the
substrate. Therefore, the amino acids that form the active site provide a specificity of

substrate binding and the proper chemical environment so that the chemical reactions
occur faster (Enzymes).
Quoting Science Museum, Enzymes are proteins that control the speed of
chemical reactions in your body. Without enzymes, these reactions would take place
too slowly to keep you alive. Some enzymes, like the ones in your gut, break down
large molecules into smaller ones. Others, like the enzymes that make DNA, use
small molecules to build up large complex ones. Enzymes also help cells to
communicate with each other, keeping cell growth, life and death under control
(Why are Enzymes Important?).
According to biologydicussion.com, Six factors that affect enzyme activities
are concentration of enzyme, concentration of substrate, effect of temperature, effect
of pH, effect of product concentration, and effect of activators (Factors Affecting
Enzyme Activity: 6 Factors).
The purpose of this lab experiment is to determine the effect of temperature on
enzymes activity. As the temperature increase, the rate of enzyme activity is also
increase.
Quoting enzyme-facts.com, Liver enzymes are found in normal plasma and
serum and can be divided into different groups.
1. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST or SGOT) and alanine aminotransferase
(ALT or SGPT). Together these enzymes are known as transaminases.
2. Alkaline phosphatase (AP) and gammaglutamyl transferase (GGT) are
known as cholestatic liver enzymes. If these enzymes are elevated it can
indicate the presence of liver disease.
3. Secretory enzymes are enzymes made in the liver and allocated to the
blood plasma. Their role is physiological, for example, enzymes involved
in blood clotting (AC globulin) or cholinesterase, which catalyzes the
hydrolysis of acetylcholine. Damage to the liver will reduce their synthesis
leading to a decrease in their enzyme activity (Liver Enzymes).
According to Reference, hydrogen peroxide is produce in many ways, but the
most common method is the reaction of oxygen with isopropyl alcohol and
anthraquinone (Where does hydrogen peroxide come from?). Quoting
LIVESTRONG.COM, On otherwise healthy skin, hydrogen peroxide can cause
irritation, allergic reactions, and in high concentrations it can cause blisters, redness
and other skin damage (Effects of Peroxide on the Skin).
Quoting rsc.org, Hydrogen peroxide is used to detect the presence
of enzymes in liver, potato and celery, which catalyse the decomposition of hydrogen
peroxide, by detecting the presence of the oxygen gas formed (Testing For
Enzymes).
Chemical Equation: H2O2 + Catalase => H2O + O2
H20 = water
O2 = oxygen
HYPOTHESIS: If we test the enzyme in a cold temperature, the rate at which
catalase breaks down H2O2 will be slower. If we test the enzyme in a hot
temperature, the rate at which catalase breaks down H2O2 will be faster.
MATERIALS:
- Test Variables Room Temperature, Hot, and Cold
- Liver
- Hot water bath
- Ice water bath

- Petri dish
- Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)
- Filter paper
- Forceps
- Graduated cylinder
- 50mL beakers
- Thermometers
- Clock
PROCEDURE:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Put on gloves.
Grind the liver.
Put the grinded liver on the petri dish (divide it into three dishes).
Put three petri dishes that contain that grinded liver into hot water bath, ice
water bath and room temperature.
5. Use thermometer to measure the temperature of liver in hot water bath and
wait until it reaches the particular temperature.
6. Use graduated cylinder to take 25mL of hydrogen peroxide and pour it into a
50mL beaker.
7. Use the forceps to put the filter paper on the liver to get the enzymes.
8. Then, put that filter paper into the 50mL beaker that already contains
hydrogen peroxide.
9. Use forceps to push it down to the bottom of the beaker.
10. Use the clock to time it until the filter paper reaches the top of the solution.
11. Observe and write down your data table.
12. Repeat from step 5 with ice water bath and room temperature.
13. Repeat each temperature two more times (do the experiment for each
temperature 3 times in total).
DATA & RESULTS:

- Data Table

Graph of Data Table

When we test enzyme in a cold temperature, the reaction will be the slowest and
produce less bubble. When we test enzyme in a hot temperature, the reaction will be
the fastest and produce more bubbles. When we test enzyme at room temperature, the
reaction will be slower than in a hot temperature.
DISCUSSION:
According to my graph, when the temperature raises, the rate of enzyme
activity increase. For example, when the temperature is about 37 Celsius, the reaction
will occur faster. When the temperature is about 11 Celsius, the reaction will occur
slower. The graph will help us easier to visualize the data. Graphs are used to clearly
summarize data. The graph makes it easier to see the trend of the data. It will be
difficult if you have to describe the trend by just looking at the data table alone.
Patterns, or lines, are easier to understand than raw numbers.
My graph does support my hypothesis. My hypothesis is coinciding with my
graph. They are the same because in the graph, the rate of reaction is also faster when
the temperature rises.
When we are experimenting, there might be some experimental errors that
make the result changes. For example, if you dont pour enough or pour too much
hydrogen peroxide into a 50mL beaker, the result will change. Or if you attach too
much enzymes on the filter paper, the rate of enzymes activity might change. When
you put the thermometer to measure the temperature, if you dont let it reaches a
particular temperature, the result will change, too. If you dont push the filter paper
that has enzymes down to the bottom of the beaker, the result will change.
We have to repeat the experiment three times to help the results more reliable.
We will have more accurate results. And it helps us to find an average. Having an
average numbers will help us easier to graph the data. It will also help us to have fair
results. It might decreases percent of error. And the data will make more sense.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS:
Quoting LIVESCIENCE, There are two theories explaining the enzymesubstrate interaction. In the lock-and-key model, the active site of an enzyme is
precisely shaped to hold specific substrates. In the induced-fit model, the active site
and substrate don't fit perfectly together; instead, they both alter their shape to connect
(How Do Enzymes Work?).
According to Quizlet, the shape of hexokinase could change if there is a
change in pH. It can eliminate the ability of glucose and ATP to bind to the active site
on the enzyme (Barnes, Emma).
REFLECTION:
Through this lab, Ive learned that we have to use gloves whenever we
experiment things that relate to hydrogen peroxide because it is harmful to our body. I
know that we need to wait very long until the thermometer reaches its certain
temperature. And if we do something wrong, the result will change.
I like this experiment because I can have more experiences. It is easy to do.
And as long as you follow the instructions, you will be fine. I can work with a group
so it is more fun. I think our teamwork is very great. Everyone has fair job. No one
has more things to do than the others. My group works collaboratively. Three people
will measure the temperature of the liver in each bath and put the enzyme into
hydrogen peroxide. One person will time the process and write down the information
on the data table. The last one will clean up and help others if they need. I think that
our teamwork has nothing to be improved but if there is something for us to be
improved, we will try our best.

Works Cited
Enzymes. - Biology Encyclopedia,
http://www.biologyreference.com/dn-ep/enzymes.html
Museum, Science. Why Are Enzymes Important? Why Are Enzymes Important?,
NMSI / Science Museum,
http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/whoami/findoutmore/yourbody/whatdoyour
cellsdo/whatisacellmadeof/whyareenzymesimportant
Factors Affecting Enzyme Activity: 6 Factors. Biology Discussion, 16 Oct. 2015,
http://www.biologydiscussion.com/enzymes/factors-affecting-enzyme-activity6-factors/11207
Liver Enzymes. Liver Enzymes,
http://www.enzyme-facts.com/liver-enzymes.html
Where Does Hydrogen Peroxide Come from? Reference,
https://www.reference.com/science/hydrogen-peroxide-come182e786d1362b1a6
Wasserman, Robbin. Effects of Peroxide on the Skin. LIVESTRONG.COM,
LIVESTRONG.COM, 24 Oct. 2013,

http://www.livestrong.com/article/150174-effects-of-peroxide-on-the-skin/
Testing for Enzymes- Learn Chemistry. Testing for Enzymes- Learn Chemistry,
http://www.rsc.org/learn-chemistry/resource/res00000425/testing-forenzymes?cmpid=cmp00005921
Castro, Joseph. How Do Enzymes Work? LiveScience, TechMedia Network,
http://www.livescience.com/45145-how-do-enzymes-work.html
Barnes, Emma. Biology Chapter 7.1 and Chapter 2. Flashcards,
https://quizlet.com/100199555/biology-chapter-71-and-chapter-2-flash-cards/