Yes, when yeast is mixed with hydrogen peroxide, a chemical reaction occurs. Yeast contains an enzyme called catalase, which breaks down hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen gas.
During this reaction, the hydrogen peroxide (HO) decomposes, and you may see bubbles of oxygen forming. This is because the catalase enzyme facilitates the decomposition process:
Reaction:
HO → 2HO + O
This reaction is a great illustration of enzymatic activity, showcasing how enzymes like catalase speed up chemical reactions in biological processes. The bubbling that you observe is a direct result of the rapid release of oxygen gas, which can indicate the effectiveness of the catalase in the yeast.