Enzyme Function and Temperature

Flashcards about how temperature affects enzyme function and reaction rates.

Why are enzymes important for chemical reactions?

Without enzymes, reactions would occur too slowly to sustain life.

What happens to enzyme activity as temperature increases up to the optimum temperature?

The kinetic energy of the enzyme and substrate increases, causing more collisions, leading to more enzyme-substrate complexes and an increase in enzyme activity.

What is the optimum temperature for enzyme activity mentioned in the notes?

36.9°C

What happens to an enzyme when the temperature exceeds its optimum?

The enzyme starts to denature.

What does it mean when an enzyme denatures?

The substrate is no longer complementary to the active site.

What happens to the rate of reaction as the temperature increases past the optimum temperature?

The rate of reaction decreases because the enzyme denatures faster than the kinetic energy increases.

What is the thermolabile?

Easily denatured or deactivated by heat.

Besides temperature, what affects enzyme activity?

PH

What happens to enzyme activity when the pH is too high or too low?

Enzyme activity decreases.

What is the optimum pH for pepsin?

\approx 2

What is the definition of the substrate concentration?

The amount of substrate present to react with the enzyme.

What happens to enzyme activity as you increase the substrate concentration?

It also increases.