Discussion
Temperature, pH and enzymes are some of the factors that are known to influence the rates of biological reactions (Almeselmani &Moaed et al. 382-3). The action of enzymes (being biological) is controlled by temperature and pH. It was hypothesized that in test tubes 2 and 4, under the influence of temperature, the reactions would be much faster because the molecules moved faster at higher temperatures. However, as attested by the results, with respect to observable color change, test tube 2 did not react to the higher temperature. Test tube 2 remained clear at different temperatures. This was attributed to the fact that Catechol in test tube 2 acted as an uncatalyzed substrate. Consequently, the reaction took place slowly because the heat was not high enough to initiate the reaction. Comparatively, there was color change in test tube 4 owing to the presence of a catalyst. The results further indicated that in extreme temperatures (above 70 oC), the activity levels began to decline unlike what was observed at 37oC. This confirmed that most enzymes work optimally at or near mean human body temperature.
With respect to pH, test tube 2 and test tube 4 observed at difference pH (pH2, pH4, pH6, pH9, pH12). Just as expected Tube 4 tubes reacted more at varying pH owing to the reactivity of the enzyme to the hydrogen ions. According to Claeyssens et al. (7010), as the pH is lowered, an enzyme tends to gain H+ ions, and eventually, enough side chains get affected so that the enzyme's structure is distorted. Similarly, as the pH gets higher; the enzyme does lose H+ ions and ultimately lose its active shape. This is attested by different absorbance levels of test tube 4 at different pH values.
Work Cited
Almeselmani, Moaed, et al. "Protective role of antioxidant enzymes under high-temperature stress." Plant Science 171.3 (2006): 382-388.
Claeyssens, Frederik, et al. "High‐accuracy computation of reaction barriers in enzymes." Angewandte Chemie 118.41 (2006): 7010-7013.
