Discover the conditions that affect the rate of enzyme-catalysed reactions … and make them glow!
This lab allows students to investigate enzyme activity and the conditions that affect it, as well as providing students with practice in micropipetting.
Under optimal conditions enzymes catalyse, or speed up the rate of, chemical reactions.
In this lab, a substrate that is not fluorescent under basal conditions will fluoresce under blue light when sugar molecules are removed through hydrolysis by the enzyme beta-galactosidase.
Observing how brightly the solution fluoresces over time allows students to observe the reaction progress, and to quantify the effect of different factors on enzyme efficiency.
Key info and benefits:
- Structured as four inquiry-based investigations.
- In each investigation, students explore the effect of a different factor on enzyme reaction rate: pH, temperature, enzyme and substrate concentration and competitive inhibition.
- Can be completed in one 45 min. class period, or extended into two 45-min periods or a single block.
- This kit provides enough reagents for eight lab groups to each pursue at least two of these investigations (32 students).
Kit includes:
- Substrate for enzymatic reaction
- Purified Beta-Galactosidase enzyme solution
- 2x Dilution buffers
- 2x Inhibitor solutions
- Alkaline medium
- Fluorescent solution for standard curve
Notes:
- Blue light transilluminator required but not included such as blueBox™ or blueGel™ or P51™ Molecular Viewer
- Suggested for temperature investigations: miniPCR™ thermal cycler (ideal set up) or water bath and floaties, iced water.
- These reagents require refrigerated storage.
- Shelf-life: 6 months when stored at 4 degrees.
- They are stable for a couple of weeks at room temperature.
Contact the team at Southern Biological for answers key.
