You set up 5 samples that contained a range of sucrase concentrations but the same amount of
substrate (sucrose)
- the ph was kept constant in all tubes by using the same amount of buffer
- the temperature was kept constant in all tubes (room temp)
- a negative control was used (without the substrate sucrose) to prove that this reaction is due to enzyme activity. it is important
to establish this, because sucrose can break down on its own to yield glucose and fructose but this reaction would take much
longer without enzyme
- there was no quantitative data, but a color key was used to distinguish between maximum, medium and low enzyme activity
- by graphing the qualitative data, you observed that the reaction increases as the enzyme concentration is increased. this
means, the more enzyme, the more sucrose can be broken down, the more products can be formed.
- however this effect can be observed up to a limit.
as stated, the results as evidenced in the experiment can only be observed up to a limit. why?
a buildup of sugars alters the ph of the environment
the products, glucose and fructose, denature the sucrase
you eventually run out of sucrose to act as the substrate
the reaction causes a change in temperature, that denatures the sucrase.
eliminate