Enzyme activity

Enzyme Activity Aim: To investigate enzyme activity by testing for changes in a starch solution when the enzyme amylase is added and how this reaction is affected by heat, pH, ratios etc. Background of Enzymes Enzymes are biological catalysts produced by living cells. Like all catalysts, they greatly speed up all the processes that go on inside living organisms. A single cell may contain 100,000 different enzymes, which are needed to take part in its 1,000 to 2,000 …

…first, using a pipette, add hydrochloric acid, vinegar to the second, nothing to the third, sodium bicarbonate to the fourth and to the fifth add caustic soda, until the test tubes are of pH 1, 4, 7, 10, 14(test with litmus paper). 3) Add iodine to each of the test tubes followed by 5ml of amylase and start the stop clock. 4) Record the times at which the iodine turns black, indicating that the starch solution has been fully broken down.