Objective Bio160 Lab 5: Enzyme Activity May 7, 2015 The objective of this experiment was to note the effect of temperature effects on enzyme rates of reaction. Enzymes are macromolecules that make up significant portions of living organisms. They are made up of repeating subunits of monomers that are referred to as polymers. A few examples of these are proteins, the final form of enzymes. Nucleic acids which are our DNA and carbohydrates (sugars) (Jane B. Reece, 2014). Introduction Each enzyme is the catalyst for a specific chemical reaction that does not leave a permanent change as a result of the reaction by binding itself to the substrate molecule that it is specifically for. An example of this is your saliva contains an enzyme known as amylase which is for breaking down starch …show more content…
The results of the experiment were in fact really similar to my hypothesis. In Test Tube #1, the reaction was almost exactly what was predicted. The reaction rate of the enzyme was slowed but not stopped, it was still able to function just not as efficiently. Test Tube #2 was the control and did exactly what it was supposed to, give a base line reading for the reaction rate in the enzymes normal environment. Test Tube #3 also reacted as predicted, showing similar results to Test Tube #2 and after figuring in the standard error bars of both could easily be the same rate. Test Tube #4 however was predicted to be the break down point in which the enzyme would no longer be able to function as it was supposed to. Instead the enzyme was still able to function just not at the normal rates that it would at room temperature. The results of this experiment fit with what we know about biology and chemistry. As with all proteins, the enzyme has a 3D shape that is effected by the enzymes environment in many ways. Temperature is one of the major factors in an enzymes environment, when it is in its most suited environment it will function at its full potential. Changing that environment