Enzyme Activity Lab

Enzymes, an example of a protein catalyst, speed up chemical reactions by lowering the reaction’s activation energy.

Every enzyme has an active site that binds to another molecule called the substrate. Once bound to the substrate, an enzyme can catalyze a reaction up to ten billion times faster than the non-catalyzed reaction.

In other words, a reaction that only occurs once every ten billion seconds (316 years) will occur once every second if catalyzed by an enzyme. Enzymes are not consumed in the reaction and can bind to an infnite number of substrates.

Today you will use an enzyme to conduct an experiment to determine the types of sugars found in different types of milk. This experiment will test rice milk, soy milk, and cow milk. Below are the common sugars found in milks. Make your predictions as to which sugar will be found in each type of milk.

Learning Objectives

How to Run the Experiment

Safety Information

Learning Undefeated is dedicated to bringing authentic laboratory science experiences to students, even while they’re learning at home. To maintain regular laboratory protocol, you will find all materials are labeled with a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Safety Diamond. This is used to quickly tell users about the hazards that a material possesses including health, flammability, and instability hazards. Though all of the materials contained in the kit are deemed very safe (a 0 or 1 on each category), we thought providing this information was important for students to see and begin learning about.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that Materials Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are provided as well. Above you will find the MSDS for the reagents supplied in our Enzyme Activity Lab kit and can download the material safety sheets.

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