Name:

Lab number: 17
Topic: Investigative Project
hypothesis: Salt concentration does affect the activity of enzyme catalase.
Aim: To determine if salt concentration affects the activity of enzyme catalase. By doing so
hydrogen peroxide will be added to one sample of liver extract with no salt and another two
sample of liver extract with different concentrations of salt. The results of the three will be
compared to prove if salt concentration affects the activity of enzyme catalase.

Problem statement: A group of Biology students at Oceans High School was taught that high
levels of salt concentration can cause liver damage. They wondered if this has anything to do
with the activity of the enzyme catalase. So as to assist the group with this, you are asked to plan
and design an experiment to determine whether the salt concentration affects the activity of
Catalase.

Materials / Apparatus: liver extract, 100ml of distilled water, 3 test tubes, test tube rack, pack
of salt, beaker, syringe, 100ml of hydrogen peroxide, stirring rod, and measuring cylinder

Method:
1. Label test tubes A, B, and C
2. Use a syringe to place 2.5 ml of liver extract into all the test tubes
3. Add 4 ml of hydrogen peroxide into test tube A. Record observations of the reaction between
the liver extract and the hydrogen peroxide.
4. Put 6g of salt in a beaker
5. Measure 5ml of distilled water and add it to the beaker. Mix the solution until the salt is
dissolved.
6. Use a syringe to put the solution into test tube B.
7. Add 4 ml of hydrogen peroxide to test tube B. Record Observations of the reactions between
the saltwater, liver extract, and hydrogen peroxide.
8. Repeat steps 4-7 with test tube C (except 2.5g of salt).
Variables
Controlled variables: 5 ml of distilled water, 2.5 ml of liver extract, 6g of salt, 2.5g of salt, 2.5 ml
of liver extract, 5ml of distilled water, 4ml of hydrogen peroxide
Manipulative variables: 6g of salt and 2.5g of salt
Responding variables: The height of foam created or the formation of a precipitate after the
hydrogen peroxide is added.

Table Of Results Showing The Lenght of Foam Formed And The Formation Of Precipitate
From The Addition of Hydrogen Peroxide To Liver Extract And Different Concentrations
Of Salt

Samples Length of foam/ cm Formation of precipitate

Test tube A

Test tube B

Test tube C

Expected Results: Test tube A containing no salt will form foam which is visible bubbles. Test
tube B with the higher amount of salt concentration and test tube C with the lower amount of salt
concentration both will form a precipitate and no foam.

Biological Principle: : Enzymes are proteins that help to speed up chemical reactions. Enzymes
in the body are essential for digestion and liver function. Enzymes work by lowering the
activation energy needed to start chemical reactions. Catalase is an enzyme that breaks down
harmful hydrogen peroxide in the liver into water and oxygen. The activity of enzyme is affected
by its surrounding hence factors such as temperature, pH and concentration usually plays a part
in the reaction. It is scientifically proven that catalase breaks down hydrogen peroxide slower in
a solution containing high salination or even becomes denatured. High salt concentrations will
promote the aggregation of and precipitation of proteins. Therefore the addition of salt will slow
down the activity of the enzyme catalase proving my hypothesis correct.
Precaution: Wear safety gear because hydrogen peroxide can irritate eyes and skin

Limitation: The proportions of each sample were too insufficient

Assumptions: Test tube A, which has no salt concentration, will be the only solution to form
foam from the addition of hydrogen peroxide

Reference: https://abstracts.societyforscience.org/Home/PrintPdf/14319
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/high-salt-concentration