The desired amount of H2O2 (left) and catalase solution (right) are pipetted into separate test tubes. If the reaction is to be run at other than room temperature, the tubes are allowed to sit for 5 minutes in the water bath to come to the appropriate temperature.
The reaction is started by pouring the catalase solution into the H2O2 test tube in the water bath, quickly inserting the stopper and starting a timer. The formation of O2 should be apparent by the formation of bubbles in the test tube (left) and at the exit of the collection tube (right).
The collection of gas in the graduated cylinder should readily be seen as the incoming gas forces the water out the bottom. When a sufficient amount of time has passed (about 5 minutes) or gas has been collected (greater than 2 mls), the volume of gas in the cylinder and the time on the stopwatch is read. The rate of oxygen formation can then be calculated.
