Honors Biology

Enzyme Controlled Reaction Virtual Lab

BACKGROUND:
How do substrate concentration and pH affect the rate of an enzyme-controlled reaction?
To sustain the processes of life, a typical cell carries out thousands of biochemical reactions
each second. Many of these reactions require the help of enzymes. Enzymes are proteins that
speed up the rate of chemical reactions. Many important processes in the body involve the work of
enzymes, including the digestion of nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
Enzymes are organic catalysts. A catalyst is a chemical that controls the rate of a reaction,
but is itself not used up in the process. Reactions that are accelerated due to the presence of
enzymes are known as enzyme-catalyzed reactions.
Enzymes are proteins that accelerate chemical reactions but do not change themselves in
the reaction. Enzymes enable molecules to undergo chemical changes, forming new substances
called products. Substrates are molecules that are acted upon by enzymes. For instance, amylase,
an enzyme found in saliva, helps break down complex starch molecules (substrates) into smaller
sugar molecules (products). In other biochemical reactions, substrates require assistance of specific
enzymes to form new products.
Each substrate fits into an area of the enzyme called the active site. This fitting together is
often compared to a lock-and-key mechanism. However, researchers believe that the fit between
enzyme and substrate need not be exact. Enzymes are viewed as flexible keys that can shape and
conform to the shape of the substrate.
Enzyme structure is the key to an enzymes function. That is why only one enzyme will
catalyze only one substrate. Different enzymes operate most efficiently at an optimal temperature
and pH. When an enzyme’s temperature or pH is changed beyond its tolerable limits, the shape of
the enzyme changes, or is denatured. A denatured enzyme loses it function forever and can never
be changed back.

PURPOSE: In this lab, you will measure the rate of an enzyme controlled reaction and determine
the effect of pH on the rate that reaction.

MATERIALS:
Virtual Enzyme Lab: http://bit.ly/2OQCAOz

PROCEDURE:
1. Read BACKGROUND above.
2. Open the Virtual Lab: Click the monitor in the lab simulation to watch a video about enzyme
action.
3. Answer questions 1-9 from the Enzyme Pre-Lab Questions. Record your answers in a
section titled PRELAB QUESTIONS with the question, letter and answer for multiple choice
and complete sentences for all other answers..
4. Follow the instructions on the left of the screen to complete the virtual lab. You must test
each lactose sample at all pH levels: 3,5,7,9, and 11. Record your data in Table 1.
5. Answer the DATA ANALYSIS questions (questions 1 and 2 are graphs, read the instructions
carefully for these) and write a CONCLUSION.

PRELAB QUESTIONS: (for each multiple choice, write the question then the letter and
answer).
1. Which of the following terms does NOT apply to an enzyme:
a. Catalyst b. Carbohydrate c. Protein d. Lock and Key e. Substrate
 2. When an enzyme catalyzes a reaction:
a. Substrate(s) bind in the active site.
b. Products bind in the active site.
c. The shape of the enzyme remains unchanged.
d. The enzyme is consumed by the reaction.
e. The reaction rate remains unchanged.
3. Which of the following would interfere most with the ability of an enzyme to catalyze a
reaction?
a. Reduced concentration of substrate available
b. Reduced concentration of product available
c. Increased concentration of substrate available
d. A change in the pH
4. Feedback mechanisms regulate the rate of enzyme activity, effectively “turning off” an
enzyme in a reversible way until more metabolism of lactose is needed. Which of the
following would be most effective as a feedback mechanism?
a. Increased concentration of product
b. Increased concentration of substrate
c. A change in pH
d. Reduced concentration of the substrate
5. Which of the following statements is accurate in describing the activity of the lactase
enzyme?
a. Lactase can function equally effectively at many different pH levels
b. The shape of lactase does not change during the reaction
c. Lactase is converted to glucose and galactose by the reaction
d. One lactase enzyme can catalyze many lactose reactions
6. Look up and write in the following four (4) definitions as they apply to chemical reactions:
catabolic, anabolic, endergonic, exergonic
7. In one sentence, state whether the action of the enzyme illustrated in the video is anabolic or
catabolic? Endergonic or exergonic?
8. In one sentence, state whether the action or lactase is anabolic or catabolic? Endergonic or
exergonic?
9. Why is enzyme activity similar to, but not exactly like, a “Lock” and “Key”?

DATA:
Table 1: Record your data on the number of product molecules formed per minute obtained
from the virtual lab.

Product Molecules/Minute (106 g/min)

1.0 g

2.0 g

4.0 g

8.0 g
DATA ANALYSIS:
1. Graph the data as the amount substrate (x-axis) versus the product formed (y-axis). Do not
use best-fit lines. Each of the 5 lines should be a different color.
2. On a separate graph, graph the data as the pH (x-axis) versus the product formed (y-axis).
Do not use a best-fit line. There will be 5 lines of different colors.
3. What substrate amount was required to achieve the maximum reaction rate?
4. What pH level was optimal for lactase?
5. Why was there no increase in the reaction rate with 8.0 g. of substrate as compared to 4.0 g.
of substrate? What would you need to add to see an increase in the reaction rate with 8.0 g.
of substrate?
6. Based upon your graphs, what is the optimal pH environment for lactase activity?
7. Consider only the experiment you conducted with 0.5 g. of lactose.
a. What is the independent variable?
b. What is the dependent variable?
c. What was the manipulated variable?
8. The maximum rate of this reaction is 350 molecules product/minute. State what change you
could make in the experimental conditions or variables that would increase this reaction rate.
Explain why the change you listed will increase the reaction rate.

CONCLUSION:
Discuss the reason for your experimental results with respect to the amount of substrate (graph 1).
Use data to support your reasoning. Next discuss the reason for the results with respect to the pH
condition of the reaction (graph 2). Use data to support your reasoning. Be sure to use the
scientific vocabulary necessary to intellectually communicate what occurred. Comment on the lab
procedures and possible improvements.