Question

An aqueous solution of 11.80 g of catalase, an enzyme found in the liver, has a volume of 1.00 L at 27°C. The solution’s osmotic pressure at 27°C is found to be 0.879 torr. Calculate the molar mass of catalase.

A) 35,000 g/mol
B) 60,000 g/mol
C) 120,000 g/mol
D) 180,000 g/mol

Answer 1

To calculate the molar mass of catalase, we can use the formula for osmotic pressure: Osmotic pressure = (n/V)RT. Using the given information, we can calculate the amount of moles and then use the mass of catalase to find the molar mass. The molar mass of catalase is 313.83 g/mol.

Step-by-step explanation:

To calculate the molar mass of catalase, we can use the formula for osmotic pressure:

Osmotic pressure = (n/V)RT

Where n is the number of moles, V is the volume of the solution, R is the ideal gas constant, and T is the temperature in Kelvin. Rearranging the formula, we have:

n = (osmotic pressure ÷ (volume × R × temperature))

Plugging in the values from the problem:

n = (0.879 torr ÷ (1.00 L × 0.0821 L·atm/mol·K × (27 + 273) K))

Simplifying, we find n = 0.0376 moles. Given that the mass of catalase is 11.80 g, we can now calculate the molar mass:

Molar mass = (mass ÷ moles) = (11.80 g ÷ 0.0376 mol) = 313.83 g/mol

So, the correct answer is D) 180,000 g/mol.