The Effect of low pH on Enzyme Activity
Design an experiment in which you will test the effect of an acidic fluid on enzymatic activity. (Recall: enzymes are proteins.) To complete this project, it may be useful for you to review the Scientific Method Tutorial (found the Course Content section of the classroom under the Science Learning Center link) and the Scientific Method lab, so that you can better understand how to design an experiment. It may also be helpful for you to review your textbook and Lab 4 (Enzymes). As you review Lab 4, you will be reminded that there are several factors that impact enzymatic activity: pH, temperature, and amount of reagent. Feel free to refer to observations and information from Lab 4 as you complete the Final Applied Project (see the questions below). Or in other words, it is OK to use the same enzyme/subtrate/method as you did in lab 4 (but modify the treatment), or you can search on-line to find a different enzyme/subtrate/method for measuring enzyme activity.
As you design your experiment for this project, please remember that you are trying to examine how an acidic fluid will modify the outcome of an enzymatic reaction. To successfully complete this project, you will need to identify the question(s) being asked in your experiment and the hypothesis that you are testing. In your experimental design, you must clearly explain what you are doing. That means that you will need to identify the enzyme and the acid, as well as explain your experimental protocol. You must also thoroughly explain how the addition of the acidic fluid impacted the overall reaction process.
Write a paper that includes the following:
1. Title page: title, your name, course name, semester
2. Introduction: introduce your project, include needed background information, the question(s) that you are asking and a clear hypothesis for your experiment.
3. Design an experiment. Provide a detailed account of the materials and methods used to conduct the experiment. Also include the methods for data collection and analysis.
4. Conduct the experiment and record your results. What did you observe? Present your data in table and/or graph . Remember to include the unit of measure.
5. Use your knowledge about enzymes and acids to interpret and discuss your results. It may be necessary for you to refer to your textbook and/or use other information resources. What effect does the acidic treatement have on the enzyme activity? Looking back, how could you have improved your experiment?
6. What is your conclusion? Was your hypothesis supported?