Instructions for AP Biology Lab #13—Enzyme Activity
Pre-lab: Complete Parts I—IV prior to conducting the laboratory.
I. Title:

Do not develop a title until you have completed the Pre-lab. Then, develop a title for this
laboratory.
II. Objectives:

See College Board (= CB) Lab handout.
III. Pre-lab Questions:
Note: You will need to read the Introductions on pages S153-S154 of the CB Lab Manual AND on Kim
Foglia’s Biology Place (= BP) Lab Handout carefully. You may also have to refer to your textbook,
Reading Guides, and F & T Lecture Notes.
1. What is a very important role that enzymes have in cells?
2. Explain the participants in an “enzyme catalyzed reaction” and explain/describe the “active site” of
the enzyme.
3. The following are factors that affect an enzyme’s action. For each, explain its effect and why it
has this effect.
a. salt concentration b. pH
c. temperature
d. activators and inhibitors.
4. Write the equation for the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. Briefly describe catalase and its
role in living cells.
5. There are many ways to study the rate of a chemical reaction. How will the rate of the reaction in
this laboratory (BP version!) be measured?
6. For this lab:
a. What goes in the reaction chamber?
b. What goes in the reaction vessel? In what order?
c. What goes in the graduated cylinder?
7. What method of recording data/time frame will be used? In other words, at what interval will you
record data and for how long?
10. This is a timed experiment. What is added to stop the enzyme reaction when the time is up?
How does this work? (see #2 on page 22, general procedure)
IV. Methods:

Read the BP procedure very carefully. Write a one paragraph summary of the procedure.
Since you have read the BP procedures very carefully, you know that you and your group will design
and perform an experiment of your own. Your group will create a “mini-poster” (see attached
example and headings) in place of a lab report for this experiment.