CATALASE

 

INTRODUCTION: Catalase is a common enzyme found in nearly all living organisms exposed to oxygen including but not limited to; bacteria, plants, and animals. It catalyzes the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide to water and oxygen. [water, the universal solvent] 

IMPORTANCE OF CATALASE:  Catalase is a very important enzyme in protecting the cell from oxidative damage by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Likewise, catalase has one of the highest turnover numbers of all enzymes. One catalase molecule can convert approximately 5 million molecules of hydrogen peroxide to water and oxygen each minute. [BIOCHEMISTRY OF ENZYMES]  

BIOCHEMICAL TESTS FOR CATALASE:  The presence of catalase in a microbial or tissue sample can be tested by adding a volume of hydrogen peroxide and observing the reaction. The formation of bubbles, oxygen, indicates a positive result. This easy assay, which can be seen with the naked eye, without the aid of instruments, is possible because catalase has a very high specific activity, which produces a detectable response. 

HYDROGEN PEROXIDE AND THE HUMAN BODY:  Hydrogen peroxide is a harmful byproduct of many normal metabolic processes. To prevent damage to cells and tissues, it must be quickly converted into other, less dangerous substances. To this end, catalase is frequently used by cells to rapidly catalyze the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide into less-reactive gaseous oxygen and water molecules.

RELATED.

1.  BACTERIA AND THEIR CELLULAR COMPONENTS

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