An experiment was conducted to measure the reaction rate of the human salivary enzyme α-amylase. Ten mL of a concentrated starch solution and 1.0 mL of α-amylase solution were placed in a test tube. The test tube was inverted several times to mix the solution and then incubated at 25°C. The amount of product (maltose) present was measured every 10 minutes for an hour. The results are given in the table below.
Time (minutes) | Maltose Concentration (μM) |
0 | 0 |
10 | 5.1 |
20 | 8.6 |
30 | 10.4 |
40 | 11.1 |
50 | 11.2 |
60 | 11.5 |
Graph the data on the axes provided and calculate the rate of the reaction for the time period 0 to 30 minutes.
Explain why a change in the reaction rate was observed after 30 minutes.
Draw and label another line on the graph to predict the results if the concentration of α-amylase was doubled. Explain your predicted results.
Identify TWO environmental factors that can change the rate of an enzyme-mediated reaction. Discuss how each of those two factors would affect the reaction rate of an enzyme.
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