Aim: To investigate Urease activity and the effect of two other chemicals which are Lead Nitrate, and Thiourea (CS (NH2)2
Background Information
Urease is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of urea as shown below:
CO (NH2)2 + H20 CO2 + 2NH3
Ammonia releases and dissolves in water to form ammonium hydroxide, which is a strong base.
NH3 + H20 NH4+ OH-
The level of alkali can be then used as a measure of the speed of the reaction. Universal Indicator solution will be used to measure this.
Research question:
What is the effect of lead nitrate and thiourea activity?
Variables:
Control
Volume of urea, urease, lead nitrate, thiourea, distilled water, Temperature
Independent
Time Interval
Dependent
pH
Hypothesis
I predict that at the conclusion of the experiment Thiourea will function as a modest inhibitor. Because it has a similar molecular formula to Urea, the substrate for the enzyme, so then there will not be sufficient substrate created or even there will not be any substrate formed at all for the Thiourea that would prevent the urea from reacting with the urease. Still, with the addition of Lead Nitrate, increasing the concentration will lead to excess substrate. The lead nitrate will then attach to the urea to destroy the active site to counteract any more ammonia from forming.
Materials and apparatus
6 Boiling tubes
Test tube rack
50cm3 beakers
5cm3 syringe
Stop watch
Urease
Urea
Thiourea
Lead nitrate
pH buffer
Distilled water
Universal indicator
Data logger
Method:
Label boiling tubes from 1-6
In the boiling tube labeled 1, add 2cm3 of buffer solution, 5cm3 of Urea and 5cm3 of distilled water.
In the boiling tube labeled 2, add 2cm3 of buffer solution, 5cm3 of Urea, 2.5cm3 Thiourea and 2.5cm3 of distilled water
In the boiling tube labeled 3, add 2cm3 buffer solution, 5cm3 of Urea and 5cm3 of distilled water.
In the boiling tube labeled 4, add 2cm3 buffer solution, 5cm3 of Urea, 2.5cm3 of lead nitrate and 2.5cm3 of distilled
In the boiling tube labeled 5, add 2cm3 of buffer solution, 5cm3 Urea and 5cm3 of lead nitrate.
In the boiling tube labeled 6, add 2cm3 of buffer solution, 5cm3 of Urea and 10cm3 of distilled water
Add 5 drops of the universal pH indicator to each boiling tube
Add 5cm3 to the boiling tubes labeled 1-5 and mix completely
Using the color scale, find the pH changes in the course of the experiment
Record pH changes in each container using the pH probe with the data logger at a 5 minute interval or20 minutes
Mix the content of each boiling tube from time to time
Record all the other relevant observations.
Results:
