Charles asks…
Why are both water and hydrogen peroxide used in a lab to find out if temp. affects the function of an enzyme?
I’m doing a lab in biology where we put 2ml of liver homogenate in each of 6 test tubes and add water (the control) and hydrogen peroxide to them. Test tubes 1, 3 and 5 have water. Test tubes 2, 4 and 6 have hydrogen peroxide. Test tubes 1 and 2 are at room temperature. 3 and 4 are in an ice bath for 15 minutes and 5 and 6 are in a hot water bath on a hot plate for 15 minutes.
admin answers:
Based on what you described, I’m assuming you’re testing the activity of a peroxidase (an enzyme that will break down hydrogen peroxide). Liver homogenates are sometimes used to measure peroxidase activity. Hydrogen peroxide is extremely reactive and is almost never included in enzyme assays except to measure for the activity of a peroxidase enzyme.
You are adding the peroxide to tubes 2, 4, and 6 to measure how quickly it is broken down by the enzyme. You are adding water to tubes 1, 3, and 5 as a negative control for each temperature (any measurement you get should be from background peroxide under the conditions you’re doing the experiment.)
Normally, you would never add hydrogen peroxide to any enzyme assay. Hydrogen peroxide reacts with and destroys most enzymes. You would learn nothing from that except how well hydrogen peroxide breaks it down.
Linda asks…
hydrogen peroxide?
Many People use hydrogen peroxide as a disinfectanct to clean a cut or wound. The bubbles lift the dirt and debris out of the wound. What is the composition of the bubbles ? What caused the bubbles to form ?
admin answers:
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is something you can buy at the drug store. What you are buying is a 3-percent solution, meaning the bottle contains 97-percent water and 3-percent hydrogen peroxide. Most people use it as an antiseptic. It turns out that it is not very good as an antiseptic, but it is not bad for washing cuts and scrapes and the foaming looks cool.
The reason why it foams is because blood and cells contain an enzyme called catalase. Since a cut or scrape contains both blood and damaged cells, there is lots of catalase floating around.
When the catalase comes in contact with hydrogen peroxide, it turns the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) into water (H2O) and oxygen gas (O2).
2H2O2 –> 2H2O + O2
Catalase does this extremely efficiently — up to 200,000 reactions per second. The bubbles you see in the foam are pure oxygen bubbles being created by the catalase. Try putting a little hydrogen peroxide on a cut potato and it will do the same thing for the same reason — catalase in the damaged potato cells reacts with the hydrogen peroxide.
Hydrogen peroxide does not foam in the bottle or on your skin because there is no catalase to help the reaction to occur. Hydrogen peroxide is stable at room temperature.
Sandy asks…
How can i bleach my hair using hydrogen peroxide?
i have about a 1/4 inch size hair and it is already dirty blonde but i want it yellow blonde can i use hydrogen peroxide to use it and if i can do i have to add anything to it and how long all the stuff ya no
admin answers:
Don’t do it !! If you want it to be blonde go to a stylist or buy some hair lightener at walmart !!
William asks…
Why is Hydrogen Peroxide used to stimulate seed germination?
I am currently researching on the effects of this substance in the germination of Horse Radish tree (Moringa Oleifera).
I am wandering on the composition of the Hydrogen Peroxide that makes it to break the seed’s dormancy.For example if I soak Moringa Oleifera seeds to hydrogen peroxide solution, how long I have to soak it? Why?
Any vital information is appreciated.. Thank you
admin answers:
When it breaks down it relases it’s two molecules of oxygen which is aborbed by the seed embryos and that triggers it’s germination.
James asks…
Is using hydrogen peroxide to whiten my teeth a bad idea?
I read that gargling with hydrogen peroxide can whiten my teeth, is this bad for my teeth? Because I know that strawberries and lemons can ruin your enamel.. Also, do I use 100% hydrogen peroxide?
admin answers:
A dental hygienist told me it is ok to do that for whitening but know that the hydrogen peroxide continues to burn the tissues in your mouth, even if you can’t feel the burning sensation.
Helen asks…
Can you use hydrogen peroxide to prep instead of rubbing alchol?
Like when you get a shot/injection or piercing, they prep the area with rubbing alchol. Can you use Hydrogen peroxide instead?
admin answers:
No
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