Hydrogen peroxide is often used as an antiseptic, a substance used to help reduce microbes on living tissue. When applied to a wound, you will notice that the hydrogen peroxide begins to form bubbles. These bubbles are actually oxygen gas being released due to a chemical reaction. The reaction is due to an enzyme contained in red blood cells called catalase. This enzyme is also produced by some bacteria, like Staphylococcus. The enzyme catalyzes the splitting of hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen gas:
2H2O2-->2H20 + O2
This enzyme is important for organisms that live and grow in the presence of oxygen. Aerobic respiration also results in the formation of reactive oxygen species. Hydrogen peroxide is an example of a reactive oxygen species in addition to those produced by using oxygen for respiration. Catalase helps to protect cells against these potentially damaging molecules by neutralizing them into water and oxygen, for example.
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