How did changing the pH effect the action of catalase?

Answer 1

Catalase work optimal in pH 7. Enzyme work specificly on certain pH. If change in pH occurs, it will slowing down the reaction rate.

If the solution is too acidic (low pH value) or too basic (high pH value) the catalase is inactive - no longer functions as an enzyme. So that's why your cells should be neutral (pH 7). Our bodies are creating Hydrogen peroxide during normal metabolic events and catalase is present in the peroxisomes of nearly all human cells. There, it serves to protect the cell from any toxic effects by catalyzing the decompostion of H2O2 without the production of Oxygen free radicals.

Catalase takes two molecules of hydrogen peroxide and converts them to two water molecules plus a molecule of oxygen gas. Hydrogen peroxide is a toxic molecule.

Amount of solution in test tube is called the controlled variable. Controlled variables must be carefully monitored and kept equal in your experiments - otherwise they could mess up your experiment by making your results false or unreliable.

Answer 2

Catalase, as most enzimes, has an optimal pH to achieve its maximum activity (in this case, 7.0). If you change the pH of the medium either way, you will observe a decline in its activity.

Answer 3

The optimal pH for catalase is 7.

Answer 4

acidic