Liver Enzyme Lab by Mary Klenzak

LIVER ENZYME LAB

marycklenzak — 2014-09-18 23:33:52 UTC

By Mary Klenzak

Purpose:

marycklenzak — 2014-09-18 23:35:24 UTC

The purpose of this lab is to systematically prove that the liver, which contains the enzymes, breaks down the peroxide into water and oxygen.

Introduction:

marycklenzak — 2014-09-18 23:35:41 UTC

Every cell in your body produces peroxide when it goes through chemical reactions. Peroxide is a poison, so catalysts break down the peroxide into two harmless substances: water and oxygen.

Materials:

marycklenzak — 2014-09-18 23:36:05 UTC

Wooden splint
10-ml Graduated cylinder
40 ml 3% Hydrogen peroxide solution (found in stores)
Stirring rod
Fresh liver
Test tube holders
Water
Eyedropper

Procedure:

marycklenzak — 2014-09-18 23:36:24 UTC

1. Add water up to the 2 cm mark in test tube #1 (control).

2. Add a piece of liver to test tube #1 & push it down with the stirring rod.

3. Add peroxide up to the 2 cm mark in test tube #2.

4. Add a piece of liver to test tube #2 & push it down with the stirring rod.

5. Add peroxide up to the 2 cm mark in test tube #3.

6. Light a wooden splint on fire and let it burn for 15 seconds then blow it out.

7. While the splint is still glowing red, slowly put it down into test tube #3.

8. Add peroxide up to the 4 cm mark in test tube #4.

9. Add a piece of liver to test tube #4.

10. Light another wooden splint on fire and let it burn for 15 seconds before blowing it out.

11. Put the splint on the white bubbles.

12. Put boiling water and liver in test tube #4.

13. Put peroxide in test tube #4.

Results:

marycklenzak — 2014-09-18 23:36:31 UTC

Discussion:

marycklenzak — 2014-09-18 23:36:49 UTC

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

Enzymes are substances produced by organisms that are used to speed up biochemical reactions.

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?

Oxygen was produced and water was left behind.

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

The hot wood creates a flame in test tube #4 because pure oxygen and heat creates fire.

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

The high temperature denatures the enzymes because the temperature is outside of the optimal range

Conclusion:

marycklenzak — 2014-09-18 23:36:56 UTC

Based on the results of this lab, when peroxide and liver are mixed, oxygen and water are produced. It was proven that the substance was oxygen because it induced a flame in the hot wood. Oxygen is only produced when the liver is in an optimal range of temperature (not too cold or hot).

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marycklenzak — 2014-09-22 23:40:24 UTC

marycklenzak — 2014-09-23 00:09:09 UTC