enzyme-peroxidase

[canalon]

If we use H2O2 for some purpose why do we need to break it down? Do we break down the excess H2O2?

H2O2 is a powerfull oxidant, and it should not be free in the cell. Cells have evolved organelles (peroxysomes) were it is produced by oxidases and stored to oxidise molecules (mainly fatty acids or group of molecules like bacteria ). But it also evolved mechanism to destroy it when in excess or acidentally produced anywhere else in the cell thus protecting itself from oxidation.

Once again I strongly suggest you to go to <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi> and search "books" for "peroxisome". Molecular Biology of the cell is a good book to start with. It's free and easy, and much more complete than I could ever be

Hope this help

Patrick

[Poison]

Thanx