MadSci Network: Chemistry
Query:

Subject: can you have a non-protein catalyst?

Date: Sat Feb 19 21:18:03 2000
Posted by jane
Grade level: 10-12 School: Applewood Heights S.S.
City: Miss State/Province: ON Country: Canada
Area of science: Chemistry
ID: 951016683.Ch
Message:

i recently did a lab on the action of catalase and non-protein catalysts. 
Observations showed that inorganic substances such as sand and manganese
peroxide could catalyze hydrogen peroxide (H202).  This proves that the 
answer is yes, H202 can be broken by catalysts not found in living 
systems.  But in my explanation, I said that those substances used a co-
factor to aid in the catalization, or a non-protein catalyst.  But how can 
you have a non-protein catalyst?  All enzymes are proteins.  non-protein 
catalyst means that there is no protein involved in the reaction.  what is 
the difference between catalase and a non-protein catalyst?  i am really 
confused.


Re: can you have a non-protein catalyst?

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