CHED 803 |
| The ultimate goal of the research project is to determine how the expression of acid phosphatase in maize roots is controlled within the absence or presence of phosphate in a hydroponics system. Acid phosphatase is produced by maize roots as a series of isozymes, only one of which is excreted in the rhizospheres. The first step in the study of this enzyme and its isozymes was to determine the optimum pH for enzyme activity. Acid phosphatase activity was measured over a pH range of 3.5 to 8.5. The second step in the enzyme study was to determine the stability of the enzyme under a variety of storage conditions. Enzyme solution was kept in a standard refrigerator as well as in deep freeze storage (-80°C). Enzyme activity was compared to the number of freeze-thaw cycles for both storage methods to determine the percent change in activity. The data collected indicated the optimum storage method for the preservation of acid phosphatase. |
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Undergraduate Research Poster Session: Biochemistry
2:00 PM-4:00 PM, Monday, April 7, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Hall A, Poster
Division of Chemical Education |