Hydrolysis of lipids using an enzyme called "lipase"Research and rationaleEnzymesEnzymes are made up of proteins available in every cell of a living plant and animal [ 9]. Enzymes are very important for biochemical reactions. They act as catalysts and accelerate biochemical reactions using “an alternative reaction pathway with lower activation energy” [5]. Enzymes start a chemical reaction or allow it to happen faster [9]. Enzymes therefore do not undergo lasting changes; remain unchanged at the end of the reaction [9]. Enzymes are very selective, they catalyze specific reactions. Their specificity depends on the form of the enzyme. Enzymes are made up of globular and non-protein proteins [5]. In a reaction, two molecules must collide in the correct direction with adequate energy. This means that there should be enough energy in the reaction to allow the molecules to overcome the activation energy [5]. Activation energy (Ea) is the minimum energy needed in a reaction to trigger molecules into a condition where they can carry out a chemical reaction [6]. All enzymes have an active site; this is the part of the enzyme where molecules with the right shape and functional groups bind to the enzyme [5]. The reagent molecule that binds to the enzyme is called a substrate [5]. Enzymes are known to have substrate specificity. The path followed by an enzyme when used in a reaction [5]: There are two theories of enzymes carrying out reactions called “lock and key theory” and “induced fit theory”. The substrate specificity of enzymes can be explained using the Lock and Key hypothesis[8]. This theory states that a specific substrate would only fit into the active site of an enzyme[9]. ...... middle of paper ...... the enzyme, as the shape of the lipase may be altered and lipid molecules may not be able to bind to it and form a reaction. Therefore, I will ensure that the temperature is constant throughout the experiment to obtain valid and reliable results with minimal anomalous results. On the other hand, I will manipulate the concentration of lipase added to the solution. I will change the volume of the lipase. I will have 6 different concentrations of lipids as I would be doing 6 different experiments to collect a wide range of data. I would use concentrations such as 0cm3, 2cm3, 3cm3, 4cm3, 5cm3 and 6cm3. I would have a control group where I would not use lipase to see if the pH change occurs due to lipase or the bile salt emulsifying the fat. I would use a control group to allow me to see the changes that occur in lipids between adding and not adding lipase.