Tried and true but something new: analyzing the enzymatic activity of catalase

ABSTRACT

Enzymatic activity is at the core of biological reactions. Understanding them and the chemical and environmental factors that affect reaction rates is critical for biology students. The laboratory experiment proposed here investigated these concepts, while requiring students to document, graph data, analyse results using statistics, and effectively communicate results in writing. This assay is a redesign of another experiment, generating new protocols using a molecular approach, which greatly reduced the volume of reagents needed, while reinforcing pipetting skills and mathematical calculations for making solutions. Length and rigour were increased by adding an additional two weeks for the investigation of more catalase sources, thus more opportunity for thorough analysis of data. Student learning was measured using different types of assessment: pre-lab assignment, laboratory notebook checks, lab reports (individual sections as well as the complete document), and a laboratory skills practicum. A post-laboratory survey was administered to assess student perceptions on learning and skills acquisition. Average scores indicated success in achieving learning objectives varied between 74.4% and 89.56%. Survey results indicated that students had a positive impression of the activity and felt it helped improve the skills described in the student learning outcomes.

KEYWORDS:

• Catalase
• reaction rates
• pH
• enzymatic reactions
• laboratory exercise

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed here.

Additional information

Funding

Funding for this laboratory activity came from the Department of Biological Sciences budget for each individual course.