Determining What Causes Metabolic Reactions Using Different Substrate Concentrations

Abstract:

The purpose of this experiment was to test how the molecular environment can affect the

reaction rates of a substance. In this experiment we influenced the substrate (hydrogen peroxide)

to measure how it affected the reaction rates. The results of our experiment showed that the

higher concentration of the enzyme (yeast) showed a slower reaction rate. The results showed

that the higher the concentration of the enzyme causes a change in the molecular environment

which shows the enzyme can affect the reaction rates and change the environment to be more

hostile to cause reaction.

Introduction:

In this experiment we will be using enzymes which are molecules that cause chemical reaction in

living organisms (Marion, et. al., 2024). To cause a reaction the enzyme must bind with a

reactant molecule which is called a substrate which is then changed into a product which causes

a chemical reaction. Because the enzyme cannot change itself it will immediately find another

substrate to bind to which then repeats the chemical process. An enzyme can catalyze a reaction

many times which is what causes reactions to occur rapidly and if a reaction occurs very slowly

the enzyme may not be present or not working properly. Our bodies regulate specific enzymes

that function at a rapid pace. The regulation of these certain enzymes to have certain reaction

rates is called homeostasis which is the maintenance to keep stable conditions (Marion, et. al.,

2024). The hypothesis for this experiment is the rate of an enzymatically controlled reaction is

limited by availability of substrate (Marion, et. al., 2024). In this experiment we will be

evaluating the effect of substrate concentrations on reaction rates. The substrate will by hydrogen

peroxide and the enzyme will be yeast. The predicted results were the substrate concentration
with the higher enzyme(yeast) will have a faster reaction time. The independent variable was the

concentration of the substrate, and the dependent variable is how long does it take for a reaction

to occur.

Methods:

In this experiment the effect of substate concentration on reaction rate was observed. The

substrate was hydrogen peroxide. The enzyme was diluted by hydrogen peroxide in different

concentrations 1% and 2% and 0%. There were three vials one with 3mL of substrate and 6mL

of the enzyme which was our 1% concentration. Then the second vial contained 6mL of the

substrate and 3mL of the enzyme which was our 2% concentration. Then our last vial had 9mL

of our substrate with no enzyme. We did a total of 2 trials and recorded the reaction rate of each

concentration and then calculated the average from both trials. The independent variable was the

manipulation of the substrate and how much was being used. The dependent variable was the

reaction rate which was measured in seconds and then recorded on a data table.

Reaction Rates of Catalase at different Substrate Concentrations

H2O2 Concentration(%) Trial 1 Reaction Time Trial 2 Reaction Time Average

1% 2 3 2.5

2% 3 4 3.5

3% 0 0 0

Results:

The results of the experiment showed the higher concentration of the substrate caused for a

slower reaction rate. The 1% which had the highest concentration of the enzyme which was the

fastest reaction time. And the concentration with no enzyme had no reaction at all.
 Average Reaction Time (s)
4

3.5

2.5
Time (s)

1.5

0.5

0
1% 2% 3%

Reaction Time (s)

Discussion:

After evaluating the data and comparing the hypothesis which was the reaction rate of a

controlled reaction is limited due to the manipulation of the substrate (Marion, et.al,.2024). And

the predicted results were the substance concentration with the higher yeast will have a faster

reaction. After comparing the data to the hypothesis was shown to be correct and the predicted

results were also correct. The data collected showed that the 1% concentration had a higher

reaction time which had the most enzyme present which supports the hypothesis and predicted

results. After observing the effect of manipulation of the molecular environment of a substance

can change the reaction rates due to the hostile environment and high reactivity when using

enzymes which help catalyze other molecules. This conclusion can help scientists better

understand the reactions that enzymes play a part in specifically the digestive system which

enzymes play a big role in the digestion of food. And these results can be used to help better

understand digestion issues that are commonly seen involving enzymes.

Marion, A.L., L.L. Haas, and R.W. Preszler. 2024. Cellular and Molecular Biology, 1st edition.

Hayden McNeil, NY.