Enzymes & pH

This practical lesson covers:

  1. The effect of pH on the rate of reaction of amylase enzyme. 

Investigating the effect of pH on the rate of reaction of amylase enzyme.


Aim:

To investigate the effect of pH on the rate of reaction of amylase enzyme.

Background information:

The activity of biological catalysts (enzymes) are affected by pH. This practical explores how different pH levels affect the activity of amylase, an enzyme that breaks down starch into sugars. Using buffer solutions to alter pH, you will measure the rate of starch breakdown by observing changes in the colour of an iodine solution.

Variables:

  1. Independent variable - pH of the buffer solution.
  2. Dependent variable - Rate of starch breakdown.
  3. Control variables - Temperature of the reaction, concentration of amylase, concentration of starch, volume of solutions.

What is the purpose of this experiment?

to investigate the effect of pH on the rate of reaction of amylase enzyme

to investigate the effect of concentration on the rate of reaction of amylase enzyme

to investigate the effect of substrate on the rate of reaction of amylase enzyme

to investigate the effect of temperature on the rate of reaction of amylase enzyme

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Which equipment is NOT needed for this experiment?

thermometer

microscope

test tubes

water bath

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What is the function of the iodine solution in this experiment?

to monitor the pH of the solutions

to measure the rate of reaction

to measure the temperature of the water bath

to indicate the presence of starch

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What is the purpose of labeling the test tubes with the pH of the solution?

to measure the rate of reaction

to ensure the correct pH is added to the starch solution

to identify the amylase solution

to monitor the temperature of the starch solution

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What is the role of the glass rod in this experiment?

to indicate the presence of starch

to measure the temperature of the water bath

to measure the pH of the solutions

to stir the mixture

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When should the stopwatch be started in this experiment?

as soon as the starch solution is added to the mixture

after 10 seconds of adding the amylase solution

as soon as the amylase solution is added to the mixture

after 10 seconds of stirring the mixture

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What is the purpose of rinsing the glass rod with water?

to measure the pH of the solutions

to prevent contamination of the solutions

to clean the glass rod

to measure the temperature of the water bath

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When should the sampling be stopped in this experiment?

when the temperature reaches 35°C

after 10 minutes

when the iodine changes colour

when the pH is stable

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