I am doing a Catalase lab (Enzymes)
I don't understand this question:
What are the controls in the experiment?
What things could alter the outcome of the experiment?
Some possibles, which may not all be relevant are:
Temperature?
Gravity?
Pressure?
pH?
light level?
ionic strength of solutions?
dissolved O2 level?
glass or plastic apparatus?
how was apparatus cleaned?
If you organised these types of things to be constant throught the experiment or between experiments then these are controls you have imposed.
Controls in an experiment are the standard or reference conditions that are used for comparison to assess the experimental results. In the context of your Catalase lab, the controls would include the variables that are kept constant or unchanged throughout the experiment. These controls are necessary to differentiate the impact of the independent variable (the variable you are testing) on the dependent variable (the variable you are measuring).
In a Catalase lab, some possible controls could include:
1. Blank control: This consists of running a sample without the presence of catalase enzyme or substrate. It helps to measure any background reaction or interference from other components of the reaction mixture.
2. Positive control: This involves running a sample with a known concentration or activity of catalase enzyme. It serves as a reference to compare the effects of different experimental conditions on the enzyme activity.
3. Temperature control: Maintaining a constant temperature throughout the experiment would be another control. It ensures that any changes in enzyme activity are not due to temperature variations.
4. pH control: Keeping the pH constant across all samples is important to ensure that any changes in enzyme activity are not due to pH fluctuations.
5. Substrate control: Running a sample without the presence of catalase but with the substrate would help to determine if any reaction or interference is occurring solely due to the substrate.
These controls provide a basis for comparison and help determine the specific effects of the independent variable on the enzyme activity.
In a Catalase lab, controls refer to the parts of the experiment that are used as a basis for comparison to assess the effect of the independent variable(s) on the reaction rate. Controls help ensure that any observed changes or effects are due to the specific factor being investigated and not due to other variables.
To determine the controls in your Catalase lab experiment, you need to identify the factors that remain constant or unchanged throughout the experiment. Here are a few common controls that you might find in a Catalase lab:
1. Positive control: This is a control group that is exposed to conditions that are expected to produce a known and observable effect. In the case of a Catalase lab, a positive control might involve the use of a known concentration of catalase or another substance that is known to react with hydrogen peroxide and produce a measurable change.
2. Negative control: This is a control group in which the conditions are expected to yield no observable effect. In a Catalase lab, a negative control could include a test tube or sample that contains all components except for the enzyme catalase. This control helps establish a baseline for the absence of enzyme activity.
3. Experimental control: This control group is exposed to all experimental conditions, including the independent variable(s), except for the specific factor being tested. It serves as a reference point to compare the effects of the independent variable(s). For example, if you are investigating the effect of temperature on catalase activity, an experimental control could involve maintaining the temperature at a constant, optimal value while varying the temperature in other samples.
Remember, the specific controls in your Catalase lab experiment may depend on the design of your experiment, the variables being tested, and the procedures you are following. Make sure to review your lab manual or consult with your teacher or instructor for guidance on identifying the controls in your particular experiment.