Question

An aqueous solution of 14.7 g of catalase, an enzyme found in the liver, has a volume of 1.00 L at 27oC. The solution’s osmotic pressure at 27oC is found to be 1.10 torr. Calculate the molar mass of catalase

Answer 1

2.49×10⁵ g/mol will be the molar mass for catalase

Step-by-step explanation:

Osmotic pressure formula, to be applied here:

π = M . R . T

We convert the π from torr to atm → 1.10 torr . 1atm/ 760 atm = 1.45×10⁻³ atm

We convert T°, from °C to K → 27°C + 273 = 300K

We replace data given → 1.45×10⁻³ atm = M . 0.082 L.atm/mol.K . 300K

M = 1.45×10⁻³ atm / 0.082 L.atm/mol.K . 300K → 5.89×10⁻⁵ moles

As the volume of catalase is 1L, we asume the found moles to be contained in 14.7 g so let's find molar mass now:

14.7g / 5.89×10⁻⁵ mol = 2.49×10⁵ g/mol