Plant Power
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In this chemistry challenge, learners identify which plants have the enzyme "catalase" that breaks hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. Multiple fruits and vegetables, both raw and cooked (a few seconds in boiling water, or 30 seconds in the microwave) should be available for testing. Preparation time can be shortened by using a food processor. Background information is provided about enzymes (proteins that act as catalysts), and the specific enzyme catalase, which catalyzes hydrogen peroxide. Since heating destroys enzymes, cooked fruits and vegetables have no catalytic activity.
- 45 to 60 minutes
- 10 to 30 minutes
- $5 - $10 per group of students
- Ages 4 - 14
- Activity, Experiment/Lab Activity
- English
Quick Guide
Materials List (per group of students)
- 5 24 well plates
- 5 dropping bottles with 3% hydrogen peroxide
- A variety of cut up fruits and vegetables
- Choose 4 of these: sweet potato, kiwi fruit, carrot, red pepper, mushroom, watermelon, pineapple, turnip
- Choose two of these: apples, grapes, zucchini
- A food processor or grater
- Plastic plates or 3 ounce cups to hold fruits and vegetables (5 or more)
- A wash bottle of tap water or a bucket of water for rinsing well plates.
- Paper towels for spills
- A safe container to dump solutions into and seal (waste container)
Subjects
- Life Sciences
- Cells
- Chemistry of Life
- Diversity of Life
- Plants
- Cells
- Physical Sciences
- Chemistry
- Chemical Reactions
- Chemistry of Life
- Chemistry
- The Nature of Science
- The Scientific Process
- Conducting Investigations
- The Scientific Process
Informal Categories
- Food and Cooking
Audience
To use this activity, learners need to:
- see
- touch
Learning styles supported:
- Involves hands-on or lab activities
Other
Components that are part of this resource:
This resource is part of:
Access Rights:
- Free access
By:
Rights:
- All Rights Reserved, Sciencenter,
Funding Sources:
- Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation, Inc.
- American Chemical Society
