Question

The cells of the body contain organelles that break down hydrogen peroxide. Cellular organelles called peroxisomes neutralize and break down hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen using the enzyme catalase. The following data was collected to determine if the amount of catalase had an effect on the rate of peroxide decomposition. Which of the following statements is best supported by this data?

a) The rate of peroxide decomposition increases with higher levels of catalase.
b) The rate of peroxide decomposition is not influenced by the amount of catalase.
c) The rate of peroxide decomposition decreases with higher levels of catalase.
d) The rate of peroxide decomposition varies randomly with the amount of catalase.

Answer 1

The decomposition rate of hydrogen peroxide increases with higher levels of catalase according to the catalase test and the function of peroxisomes in breaking down hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen.

Step-by-step explanation:

The decomposition of hydrogen peroxide was analyzed to determine if the presence and amount of the enzyme catalase affects the rate at which it breaks down into water and oxygen. Peroxisomes, which are cellular organelles, contain catalase and play a critical role in protecting the cell by breaking down hydrogen peroxide, a byproduct of various cell reactions. The enzyme catalase, found within these peroxisomes, does so by converting hydrogen peroxide into less harmful substances. According to the catalase test, if an increase in catalase leads to more bubbling when hydrogen peroxide is applied, this indicates a higher decomposition rate. In essence, higher levels of catalase should result in an increased rate of peroxide decomposition, supporting statement (a) that the rate of peroxide decomposition increases with higher levels of catalase.