Design an experiment in which
you will test the effect of an acidic fluid on enzymatic activity. (Recall:
enzymes are proteins.) To complete this project, it may be useful for you to
review the Scientific Method Tutorial (found the Course Content section of the
classroom under the Science Learning Center link) and the Scientific Method lab
(Lab 1), so that you can better understand how to design an experiment.
It may also be helpful for you to review your textbook and Lab 4
(Enzymes). As you review Lab 4, you will be reminded that there are
several factors that impact enzymatic activity: pH, temperature, and amount of
reagent. Feel free to refer to observations and information from Lab 4 as
you complete the Final Applied Project (see the questions below). Or in other
words, it is OK to use the same enzyme/substrate/method as you did in lab 4
(but modify the treatment), or you can search on-line to find a different
enzyme/substrate/method for measuring enzyme activity.
As you design your experiment
for this project, please remember that you are trying to examine how an acidic
fluid will modify the outcome of an enzymatic reaction. To successfully
complete this project, you will need to identify the question(s) being asked in
your experiment and the hypothesis that you are testing. In your
experimental design, you must clearly explain what you are doing. That means
that you will need to identify the enzyme and the acid, as well as explain
your experimental protocol (this information will help you to answer question
2). You must also thoroughly explain how the addition of the acidic fluid
impacted the overall reaction process (this information will help you to answer
question 4).
Hint: Keep in mind that the acid will change the
environmental conditions of the experiment (for example, a low pH value could
change the shape of the active site on the enzyme protein), without directly
participating in the reaction.
Lab Materials
Youmay need all or some of the following, depending on your experimental
design:
Materials from your lab kit:
·
pH paper
·
hydrogen peroxide solution
(you can purchase this at a pharmacy if you have used up the bottle that came
with the lab kit)
·
plastic beakers or cups
·
vinegar
·
yeast (can be purchased at
grocery store if you need more)
·
balloons
·
plastic bottle
·
marker for labeling of beakers
You may choose to use
additional materials (different acidic solutions and/or different organisms
and/or different substrate(s) if you chose to look at an enzyme other than
catalase).
Outline (2%) submit in assignment folder.
I suggest you include the
following in your outline:
·
Name of enzyme you will use,
and source (organism)
·
The substrate
·
How you will measure enzyme
activity (method)
·
What type of treatment you
will you; type of solution(s), pH, length of exposure, how you will treat your
samples
·
The control(s) in the
experiment
·
Sample size
·
Maybe how you plan to present
your data (table and/or type of graph)
·
Anything else you would like
to get feedback on before you start your experiment.
Final Applied Lab Project:
write a paper that includes the following:
1. Title page: title, your
name, course name, semester
2. Introduction:
introduce your project; include needed background information, the question(s)
that you are asking and a clear hypothesis for your experiment.
3. Design an experiment.
Provide a detailed account of the materials and methods used to conduct the
experiment. Also include the methods for data collection and analysis.
4. Conduct the experiment and
record your results. What did you observe? Present your data in table
and/or graph. Remember to include the unit of measure.
5. Use your knowledge about
enzymes and acids to interpret and discuss your results. It may be necessary
for you to refer to your textbook and/or use other information resources. What
effect does the acidic treatment have on the enzyme activity? Looking
back, how could you have improved your experiment?
6. What is your
conclusion? Was your hypothesis supported?
7. Cite all reference sources
used (including text book) and provide a reference section with citations in
APA format.
Submission
Submit your final applied lab
project as an attached Word document in the assignment folder by the due date
specified in the course schedule.
