GRADE 10 ENZYMES CATALASE PRACTICAL MEMO 24 /02/ 2025

Marks: 30 Duration: 1 hour

Topic: Cells: The Basic Units of Life (Molecular make-up)

Skills: Make observations, Record information, Measure, Interpret, Plan/ design
an investigation

AIM OF THE INVESTIGATION: To determine the effect of temperature on the activity of catalase
(found in raw/uncooked potato).

1. Formulate a hypothesis for the investigation. (2)

A high / increase in temperature increases/ decreases the activity of catalase 

Or
A low temperature will increase/decrease the activity of catalase

An increase in temperature has no effect on the activity of catalase

2 Identify the following variables:

2.1 Dependent: activity of catalase  (1)

2.2 Independent: temperature  (1)

3. Identify ONE controlled variable:

 size of the potato/amount of potato paste(1ml), 

 amount/volume of Hydrogen peroxide (5ml), 
 amount / volume of water and crushed ice in each beaker ( 150ml)
 Same beaker size
 Same incubation period/ observation time

4 Tabulate the results obtained during the investigation.

3)
Height of the foam at different temperatures
Temperature Height of the foam
0
2C 40mm 
280C 63mm
900C 15mm

Data may differ depending on the results temperature in 0C

Criteria marks
Caption correct 
Column headings  30
all data entered for the three temperatures 
5 Plot a line graph of the results in QUESTION 4 on the ANSWER SHEETS. (6)

Height of the foam at different temperatures

70

60
Height of the foam in (mm)

50

40

30

20

10
incorrect X axes scale (scale should be
0
2 28 90
Temperature in 0C
60
Height of the foam (mm)

50
40
30
20
10
70 70

14 28 42 56 70 84 98

Temperature in 0C

CRITERIA ELABORATION MARKS

Caption of graph (C ) Height of foam and 1
temperature
30 included
Correct graph type (T) Line graph 1
X and Y axes correctly labelled with Temperature 0C and height 1
units (L) of foam in (mm)
X and Y axes scale correct (S) Constant scale catering for 1
recorded data
All three coordinates accurately plotted 2
(P)
Only 1 to 2 co-ordinates accurately 1
plotted

6 6.1 Write down the temperature in which the foam rose the highest. (1)

280C
 6.2 What conclusion can be drawn from QUESTION 6.1?

Low temperature of 20C slows down catalase activity, whilst 280C is the optimum (1)
temperature for the highest catalase activity and catalase activity decreases at
temperatures of 900C

7 The diagram below represents the reaction that occurred during the investigation. Observe
the diagram and answer the questions that follow:

7.1 Identify the parts labelled A - E (5)

A. Hydrogen peroxide

B. Catalase

C. Active site
D. catalase hydrogen peroxide complex/ enzyme substrate complex

E. water and oxygen/ product

7.2 What LETTER was specifically affected in test tube C (boiling water)
during the investigation?
(1)
C
7.3 Is the effect mentioned in QUESTION 7.2 reversible?

Write down yes or no AND provide a reason for the answer.

(2)
No , the denatured enzyme active site cannot go back to its original shape for the
substrate to fit

8. Consider the scenarios below. Mention AND explain how the results in the test tubes
would have differed if:

8.1 Sodium hydroxide was added to the hydrogen peroxide. (2)

It would increase the pH and denature the enzyme/catalse causing the activity of
the catalase to slow down 

8.2 The potato added wasn’t grinded into a paste. (2)

The surface area exposed to hydrogen peroxide would be smaller , less catalase
Activity/  The foam would have formed at a slower rate .
30
8.3 Different amounts of potato paste was added to each test tube.
(2)
The results would not be valid as the catalase amount would have been different in
each test tube

[30]

GRAND TOTAL: 30
30
5