Design an experiment in which you will test theeffect of an acidic fluid on enzymatic activity. (Recall: enzymesare proteins.) To complete this project, it may be useful for youto review theScientific Method Tutorial (found theCourse Content section of the classroom under the Science LearningCenter link) and the Scientific Method lab (Lab 1), so thatyou can better understand how to design anexperiment. It may also be helpful for you to review Lab4 (Enzymes). As you review Lab 4, you will be remindedthat there are several factors that impact enzymatic activity: pH,temperature, and amount of reagent. Feel free to referto observations and information from Lab 4 as you complete thequestions required in the Final Applied Project (see the questionsbelow).
As you design your experiment for this project,please remember that you are trying to examine how an acidic fluidwill modify the outcome of an enzymatic reaction. Tosuccessfully complete this project, you will need to identify thequestion(s) being asked in your experiment and the hypothesis thatyou are testing. In your experimental design, you mustclearly explain what you are doing. That means that you will needto identify the enzyme and the acid, as well as explain yourexperimental protocol (this information will help you to answerquestion 2). You must also thoroughly explain how the addition ofthe acidic fluid impacted the overall reaction process (thisinformation will help you to answer question 4).
Hint: Keep in mind that the acid will changethe environmental conditions of the experiment (for example, a lowpH value could change the shape of the active site on the enzymeprotein), without directly participating in thereaction.
Lab Materials
You may need the following, depending on yourexperimental design.
Materials in your lab kit:
Additional materials you may need:
- plastic beakers or cups
- hydrogen peroxide solution (from Lab4)
- yeast (from Lab 4)
- sample of fresh meat, about 1 cm cubed insize (unprocessed and uncooked, e.g., liver, steak, fish, orpoultry%u2014particularly organs)
- sample of fresh vegetable, about 1 cmcubed in size (e.g., potatoes or other root vegetables)
- a pen for labeling the beakers orcups
- a ruler with centimeter markings
Remember, the goal of this project is for you toevaluate the effect of an acid on enzymatic activity. Aspart of this assignment, you must identify your source of enzymeand the acid used. As you work though this project, youmust also make sure that the following questions/points areaddressed:
1. What question are you asking? Clearly state yourhypothesis.
2. Design an experiment. Provide a detailed account of thematerials and methods used to conduct the experiment. Also includethe methods for data collection and analysis.
3. Conduct the experiment and record your results below. Whatdid you observe? Which samples showed bubbling?
4. Use your knowledge about factors that effect enzymaticactivity to interpret your results. It may be necessary for you torefer to your lab manual and/or other resources. What effect didthe acid have on the enzyme?
5. Was your hypothesis supported? What is yourconclusion? Explain your answer.
6. Cite all references used to complete your Final AppliedProject.
