What is the biological function of catalase in fruits?
Question
What is the biological function of catalase in fruits?
Solution
Catalase is an enzyme found in nearly all living organisms exposed to oxygen. It catalyzes the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide to water and oxygen. This is a crucial function as hydrogen peroxide is a harmful by-product of many normal metabolic processes.
In fruits, catalase plays a significant role in the ripening process. During ripening, fruits undergo a process of respiration, which results in the production of hydrogen peroxide. The catalase enzyme helps to break down this hydrogen peroxide, preventing it from causing damage to the cells of the fruit.
Additionally, catalase also plays a role in the browning process of fruits. When fruits are cut or bruised, the cells are damaged and oxygen is introduced. This can lead to the production of hydrogen peroxide. Catalase helps to break down this hydrogen peroxide, slowing down the browning process.
In summary, the biological function of catalase in fruits is to protect the fruit cells from damage by breaking down harmful hydrogen peroxide produced during respiration and when the fruit is damaged.
Similar Questions
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Scientists investigated the effect of pH on the activity of the enzyme catalase in a fungus. The table below shows the scientists’ results.pH Enzyme activity in arbitrary units Test 1 Test 2 Test 3 Test 4 Test 5 Mean 3.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4.0 6 5 8 4 7 6 5.0 38 65 41 42 39 5.5 80 86 82 84 88 84 6.0 100 99 96 103 102 100 6.5 94 92 90 93 91 92 7.0 61 63 61 62 63 62 8.0 22 22 21 24 21 22 Page 12 of 19The independent variables are the different parts of the bean seedling.The dependent variable is the amount of catalyst used The control variables are the temperature, concentration of hydrogen peroxide and the time for the investigationfirst get fresh bean seedling of the same age and sizethen get 5 test stubes labelled for each part of the bean seedling: seed, stem, root, leaf and seed coat and add the same volume of hydrogen peroxide to each test tube (25cm^3). Keep a separate 6th test tube with only hydrogen peroxide to compare against.cut a standardized piece of each part of the bean seedling seed, stem, root, leaf and seed coat and add them to their retrospective test tube.Observe and record the production of oxygen gas (which will be indicated by the amount of foam produced) after a certain time e.g. 30 seconds measure the height and volume of the foam and record it for each test tubeCompare the amount of foam produced for each test tube and that tells us the amounts of catalyst in the different parts of the bean seedling(i) Calculate the mean enzyme activity at pH 5.0. ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Mean = _____________ arbitrary units (2) (ii) On the graph paper in Figure 3, draw a graph to show the scientists’ results. Remember to: • add a label to the vertical axis • plot the mean values of enzyme activity • draw a line of best fit. Figure 3(4
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