Question

Hydrogen peroxide is a substance that is produced as a byproduct of many cell processes. However, hydrogen peroxide is toxic to cells. In fact, if cells are unable to break down hydrogen peroxide, they become poisoned and die.

The chemical reaction for the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide is shown below.


What role does catalase play in this reaction?

Answer 1

In the reaction of decomposition of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), catalase is the enzyme responsible for catalyzing this reaction.

Step-by-step explanation:

Catalase is an oxide-reductase enzyme whose substrate is H₂O₂, a potentially harmful by-product of metabolism.

The reaction that is mediated by catalase is:

H₂O₂ ------catalase--- → 2H₂O + O₂

where catalase is the enzyme that breaks the bond of the additional oxygen in the molecule to obtain H₂O and free O₂.

People with catalase deficiency may experience disorders and diseases due to the accumulation of H₂O₂ in the body.