This demonstration illustrates the importance of enzymes in the human body. Enzymes catalyze many important chemical reactions in the body. This demonstration is a visual example of how the enzyme catalase, which is present in all cells, but in highest concentrations in the liver, breaks down hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen gas. Hydrogen peroxide, which is a potentially damaging oxidizing agent, is a by-product of certain cellular reactions. It must be broken down quickly because it could damage and destroy cells.
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Teacher Demo: Acid-Base Rainbow
Categories: Teacher Demonstration
This quick demonstration is a highly visual illustration of the use of acid-base indicators to determine pH. Milk of magnesia is mostly a suspension of magnesium hydroxide in water. Magnesium... read more
Teacher Demo/Student Activity: Charging by Contact
Categories: Lab/Student Activity, Teacher Demonstration
In this demo, a polyethylene strip is charged by rubbing with wool. The charged strip is then used to charge a neutral object, a pith ball, by contact. This demo can be done as a student activity. read more
Teacher Demo: Neutrally Buoyant Helium Balloon
Categories: Teacher Demonstration
Almost every child at one time or another has experienced the wonder, and later, a sense of loss, from a helium balloon. The emotional attachment most students have to helium balloons can be used to... read more