Determination of the Activation Energy of an Enzyme Catalysed Reaction Essay Example
Determination of the Activation Energy of an Enzyme Catalysed Reaction Essay Example

Determination of the Activation Energy of an Enzyme Catalysed Reaction Essay Example

Available Only on StudyHippo
  • Pages: 2 (308 words)
  • Published: April 29, 2017
  • Type: Experiment
View Entire Sample
Text preview

In this practical, the aim of this experiment was to find out the catalytic power of alkaline phosphate, as well as the rate of reaction and the activation energy of p-nitrophenol phosphate. Enzymes are biological molecules that catalyze a chemical reaction. ‘Enzymes work by lowering the activation energy of a chemical reaction making it easier to proceed’ [1]. This allows molecules to have more energy therefore it makes them collide so that products can be formed much quicker.

In order for enzymes to work properly, the activation energy must be exceeded first. Enzymes are described as the lock and key complex. They have an active site that is specific to a binding site on a substrate molecule. When this happens the substrate changes shape therefore the product is formed. ‘The enzyme-catalyzed reaction is as follows: E + S=ES=EP=E + P where E is an enzyme, S is substra

...

te and P is the product. ’[2]

Factors that affect enzyme activity are:

  1. Temperature - at low temperatures the rate of reaction is low this is due to the fact that there are fewer collisions of the molecules therefore not possessing the activation energy needed for the reaction to occur.
  2. PH- high PH denatures proteins by disrupting the precise 3-dimensional arrangement of the Protein chain whereas low PH can affect the ionization ​of the substrate.
  3. The concentration of reactant and concentration of product- When the concentration of enzyme increased, the rate of reaction proportionally increases as well. When the concentration of substrate is increased so does the rate of reaction until no further reaction takes place between the substrate and enzyme.
  4. Presence of inhibitory chemicals. This practical introduces the activation
View entire sample
Join StudyHippo to see entire essay

energy of hydrolysis of p-nitro phenyl phosphate will be determined in the presence of the enzyme alkaline phosphatase. [3]

Methods

As stated in the practical guide. Results Experiment a) preparation of a calibration curve

Get an explanation on any task
Get unstuck with the help of our AI assistant in seconds
New