Question

If the potato solution was boiled for 10 minutes and cooled for 10 minutes before being tested, the average time for the disks to float to the surface of the hydrogen peroxide solution would be:________.
A) 5 seconds
B) 10 seconds
C) 30 seconds
D) more than 30 seconds

Answer 1

Answer:

More than 30 seconds

Explanation:

Potato is an edible food substance that contains the enzyme CATALASE.

An enzyme is a biological catalyst that speeds up the rate of a reaction without being affected at the end of reaction.

Catalase reacts with hydrogen peroxide solution to produce water and oxygen The oxygen is seen as bubbles in the reaction container.

Boiling the potato solution for 10 minutes at high temperatures, denatures the enzyme catalase.

This is because enzymes function at an optimal temperature, for catalase, its 37 degrees Celsius. At this temperature the rate of reaction is fastest.

As the temperature increases from room temperature to the optimal temperature, the rate of reaction increases; beyond the optimal temperature, the enzyme denatures and little or no reaction occurs after that.

Denaturing, as a result of high temperatures, affects the molecular structure of the catalase, causing the cell wall to be ruptured.

Even when the potato solution is cooled than, the cell wall remains ruptured.

Adding hydrogen peroxide at this stage to the cooled potato solution at this stage will not produce any bubbles as the enzyme required to break down the hydrogen peroxide is destroyed.

As a result of this the potato disks will take a longer time to float to the surface of the hydrogen peroxide solution.

Answer 2

Answer:

Option D: More than 30 seconds

Explanation:

The enzyme CATALASE is found in almost all living organisms. CATALASE helps in the decomposition of one substance into another substance. CATALASE will breaks down hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen.

When the potatoes were boiled it will surely produce no bubbles because the heat would have degrade the enzyme - catalase While the potatoes at room temperature potato produced the most bubbles because catalase works best at a room temperature.

If the potato solution was boiled for 10 minutes and cooled for 10 minutes before being tested, the average time for the disks to float to the surface of the hydrogen peroxide solution would be MORE THAN 30 SECONDS