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By Dylan Stephens

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Does liver break down peroxide into oxygen and water?

Background Information:

Every cell in the, during a chemical reaction, produces peroxide.

The peroxide produced by our cells is poisonous

In order to counteract this, our body must create catalysts to break down the peroxide

Broken down peroxide = Water and oxygen

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Because of the catalysts within the enzymes of the liver, I think that it will breakdown the peroxide into both oxygen and water

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Peroxide

Liver

Water

5 Test Tubes

Matches

Wooden Splints

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Test One - Control

Took first tube. Poured 2 cm of water into tube.

Placed piece of liver in tube. Recorded results.

Test Two - Peroxide

Took second tube. Poured 2 cm of peroxide into tube.

Placed piece of liver in tube. Recorded results.

Test Three - Oxygen Within Peroxide Test

Took third tube. Poured 2 cm of peroxide into tube.

Lit wooden splint. Allowed to burn for a while, then put out with breath.

Put heated end into the peroxide. Recorded results.

Test Four - Oxygen Within Bubble Product Test

Took forth tube. Poured 2 cm of peroxide into tube.

Placed piece of liver within tube.

Allowed the reaction to occur.

Lit wooden splint. Allowed to burn for a while, then put out with breath.

Placed the heated end carefully near the bubbles.

Recorded reaction.

Test Five - Heated Enzymes Test

Took fifth tube. Put piece of liver into tube.

Poured 1 cm of water into tube.

Heated the tube until the water inside it started to boil.

Poured 2 cm of peroxide into tube.

Recorded reaction

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Within test one, no reaction occurred. This is because the water is missing something to cause that reaction.

Test two showed that the liver and peroxide combo created bubbles. The following tests were done to determine if they contain oxygen and water, or if oxygen and water was there in the peroxide in the first place.

Test three showed that when the splint was dipped into the peroxide, the small flame became extinguished. This proves that the peroxide is not flammable, and does not contain oxygen

In test four, when the splint's heated end came into contact with the bubbles, it reignited. Incidentally, when dipped into the bubbles, the flame would be put out. This reaction suggests that the bubbles are made of both oxygen and water.

In test five, when the liver was boiled, the previous reaction did not occur. This is because the enzymes within the liver became denatured.

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1. What are enzymes?  What are their roles in chemical reactions?

An enzyme is basically an organic catalyst. Within a chemical reaction, it is used to speed up the rate of said function.

2. Describe what happened to test tube 2 when hydrogen peroxide was added to the liver.  What gas was produced?  What liquid was left behind?

When the peroxide came into contact with the liver, oxygen and water in the form of bubbles was produced.

3. What effect does the red hot wood have on test tube 4? WHY is the flame being produced?

When the bubbles from test 4 came into contact with the hot splint, sparks emerged from the connection, and the splint relighted. This happened because in order for fire to burn, it needs oxygen. When it came into contact to a condensed equivalent of oxygen, that reaction occurred.

4. What effect does temperature have on the enzymes (Test tube 5)?

When the liver was boiled, the temperature obviously went up. When the temperature is higher than the optimal temperature, the enzymes denature, making it so that they cannot do their functions.

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In the end, I accepted my hypothesis, because it is basically what happened.

Through these tests, I've learned that with out the enzymes in our liver, our bodies would be in very serious danger.