Measuring enzyme activity
Enzyme activity can be measured by carrying out experiments using various different enzymes. In the example below the activity of the enzyme catalase can be investigated at different temperatures.
Catalase
Living cells produce an enzyme called catalase that quickens the breakdown of a damaging substance called hydrogen peroxide. The following word equation summarises this reaction:
\(hydrogen\ peroxide + catalase \to\ oxygen + water\)
The activity of catalase can be measured when in a solution because bubbles of oxygen gas are produced - visible as foam. When the catalase solution is added to the hydrogen peroxide solution and left for a set period of time (eg one minute) the height that the foam reaches in the test tube can be measured using a ruler.
The greater the height of the foam in the test tube, the greater the catalase enzyme activity.
You can vary the temperature of the hydrogen peroxide and catalase solution to investigate the effect of temperature on enzyme activity.
