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SBI4U Lab: Factors Influencing Enzyme Activity Introduction What would happen to your cells if they made a poisonous chemical? You might think that they would die. In fact, your cells are always making poisonous chemicals. They do not die because your cells use enzymes to break down these poisonous chemicals into harmless substances. Enzymes are proteins that speed up the rate of reactions that would otherwise happen more slowly. The enzyme is not altered by the reaction. You have hundreds of different enzymes in each of your cells. Each of these enzymes is responsible for one particular reaction that occurs in the cell. In this lab, you will study an enzyme that is found in the cells of many living tissues. The name of the enzyme is catalase it speeds up a reaction which breaks down hydrogen peroxide, a toxic chemical, into 2 harmless substances--water and oxygen. Hydrogen peroxide catalase water + oxygen H2O2 catalase 2H2O + O2 This reaction is important to cells because hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is produced as a by-product of many normal cellular reactions. If the cells did not break down the hydrogen peroxide, they would be poisoned and die. In this lab, you will study the catalase found in potato cells. Lab Checklist Pre-Lab: Before we begin the lab you MUST have completed and shown Ms. Taman: Hypothesis (pg. 2) Materials (pg. 2) Procedure for Part B- Effect of Temperature (pg. 3) Observation Tables for Part AB (pg. 4) Lab Analysis: Due Oct. 26 By this date you must complete and hand-in: All pre-lab material listed above Graphs for Part A and Part B (on graphing paper) Conclusion (on separate lined paper) Discussion Questions (on separate lined paper) Reminders: While you are working with partners for the lab you will be marked individually. All work submitted should be in your own words and original Safety is important! While completing the lab you will be required to wear goggles and follow a