![]() ![]() Catalase in living cells prevents oxidative damage by breaking up hydrogen peroxide, which can be harmful to the body.Ĭatalase is a common enzyme present in almost all organisms that are exposed to oxygen. In yeast, an enzyme called catalase functions as the catalyst. For example, yeast or sodium iodide can catalyze the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. Generally, this reaction happens very slowly, but certain compounds, called catalysts, can make the decomposition happen faster. Since hydrogen peroxide is relatively unstable when exposed to light, it is usually stored in dark brown containers since light decomposes hydrogen peroxide into oxygen (O2) and water (H2O) while generating heat. Hydrogen peroxide kills bacteria, and it has been used as an antiseptic for about 200 years. The chemical formula for hydrogen peroxide is H2O2 which can be found in various concentrations, usually 3%, that you can buy at a pharmacy. Montessori Kids Science Experiment Science Digging Deeper The foam produced is just water, soap, and oxygen (and the divine lingering smell of yeast), so you can clean it up with a sponge and pour any extra liquid left down the drain. ![]() If you try the experiment without dish soap, the reaction will still make bubbles but not foam. Once one of the ingredients runs out, it stops making new foam. The reaction will continue as long as there is some hydrogen peroxide and yeast left.
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