Bio+Jan+12,+2012

Catalase Lab Today

Copy the following in your notebook: H2O2 = Hydrogen Peroxide H2O= Water

Catalase is a [|tetramer] of four polypeptide chains, each over 500 [|amino acids] long.[|[][|3][|]] It contains four [|porphyrin] [|heme] (iron) groups that allow the enzyme to react with the hydrogen peroxide. The optimum [|pH] for human catalase is approximately 7,[|[][|4][|]] and has a fairly broad maximum (the rate of reaction does not change appreciably at pHs between 6.8 and 7.5).[|[][|5][|]] The pH optimum for other catalases varies between 4 and 11 depending on the species.[|[][|6][|]] The optimum temperature also varies by species.[|[][|7][|]]
 * Background information from Wiki:**
 * Catalase** is a common [|enzyme] found in nearly all living organisms that are exposed to oxygen, where it [|catalyzes] the decomposition of [|hydrogen peroxide] to [|water] and [|oxygen].[|[][|1][|]] Catalase has one of the highest [|turnover numbers] of all enzymes; one catalase molecule can convert millions of molecules of hydrogen peroxide to water and oxygen each second.