biology enzyme
...e molecules which ensure that they are soluble. Enzyme molecules also have a specific feature in which is an Active Site. The active site is of an enzyme is a region, most of the time a cleft or depression, to which another molecule or molecules can bind. This molecule is the substrate of the enzyme. The shape of the active site allows the substrate to fit perfectly while held in place by bonds which form between the substrate and some of the R groups of the enzyme’s amino acid. However it is possible that foreign molecules can bind to an enzymes active site, theses are known as inhibitors and if the concentration of the inhibitor rises or if the substrate falls, it will become less likely that the substrate will colide with an empty site and the enzymes function is inhabited. Each type of enzyme will only act on one type of substrate molecule; this is because the shape of the active site will only allow one shape of molecule to fit. This is said to be specific to this substrate. An enzyme may catalyse a reaction in which the substrate molecule is divided into two or more molecules. However, it may catalyse the joining together of two molecules. Interaction between the R groups of the enzyme and the atoms of the substrate can break, or make formation of bonds in the substrate molecule, forming one or more Products. When the reaction is finished the product leaves the active site, the enzyme is unchanged and ready to receive another substrate molecule. The rate at which substrate molecules can bind to the enzyme’s active site and be formed into products and leave can be very quick. As I learnt in AS foundation biology, enzymes reduce activation energy. As catalyst, enzymes increase the rate at which chemical reactions occur. many of the reactions which happen in living cells would only occur very slowly and may not even happen at all if there were no enzymes. In many reactions, the substrate will not be converted to a product unless it is temporarily given some extra energy. This energy is called Activation Energy. Safety: during this experiment, lab coats and goggles must be worn as hydrogen peroxide is irritant. Any spills will be wiped up as soon as possible to avoid accidents that could be caused by leaving it there. One way to set up an experiment to find the rate of reaction is to follow the following step- by - step given below, however there also other ways of conducting the same experiment. I believe the one I chose is the best because it is easy to follow and can be conducted with accessible equipment from the college. (See picture labelled 1) The reason for me choosing the following equipment is because they are very reliable in conducting such experiments and is very precise in measurements and will allow me to gain reliable results. Hear is a list of the equipment I will be using in my experiment: Stop clock. Hydrogen peroxide. Fresh yeast. 2 boiling tubes. 1 small test tube. Tongs. Clamp. Rubber bung. 50ml measuring cylinder. Beaker. Glass delivery tube. Rubber tube. Distilled water. STEP - BY - STEP. 1. Put on your lab coats and safety goggles 2. Clear the area where you will be working 3. Collect the equipment listed above and carefully bring them to your work bench 4. Connect the boiling tube to the clamp at a slight angle 5. Measure 10ml of H2O2 in a measuring cylinder 6. Pour 10ml of H2O2 into the slanted boiling tube 7. Measu...