How do hydrogen peroxide react with enzymes? Show the reaction involved. Why is there no reaction in other samples?

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) reacts with enzymes, specifically catalase, in a decomposition reaction. Catalase is an enzyme found in nearly all living organisms which are exposed to oxygen. It catalyzes the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide to water and oxygen.

The reaction is as follows:

2H2O2 (Hydrogen Peroxide) --(Catalase)--> 2H2O (Water) + O2 (Oxygen)

This reaction is very important in cells because hydrogen peroxide is a harmful by-product of metabolism. Catalase speeds up the reaction, reducing the amount of time that the cell is exposed to the harmful hydrogen peroxide.

As for why there is no reaction in other samples, it could be due to the absence of the catalase enzyme. If the sample does not contain this enzyme, the hydrogen peroxide will not be broken down and no reaction will occur. Other factors could include the temperature and pH level, as enzymes require specific conditions to function properly.