Problem
Emily is a student in biology lab. She conducts several experiments to investigate the properties of amylase, an enzyme which converts starch into glucose. Benedict's reagent is a blue-colored chemical which changes color according to the amount of glucose in a sample. Benedict's reagent remains blue in the presence of starch. Emily fills seven test tubes with an equal amount of amylase and water. Next, she places each tube in a different water bath for 10 minutes. She adds an equal amount of starch to each tube and performs a Benedict's test.
1. According to experimental results, what is the optimal temperature for amylase?
2. Tube 1 and Tube 7 have the same results for the Benedict's Test. How do you interpret the color results with regard to enzyme activity?
3. Tube 2 and Tube 5 have the same results for the Benedict's Test. How do you interpret the color results with regard to enzyme activity?
4. Tube 2 and Tube 5 have the same results for the Benedict's Test. What would happen to the activity level in each tube if the temperature was changed to the optimum temperature?