Cell Bio - Enzyme Optimum Conditions

Question 1

• What are optimum conditions(in terms of enzymes)?
• 2 conditions that effect enzymes?

Answer 1

The conditions under which a particular enzyme is most active and the rate of reaction cannot go faster.

• best temp = optimum temp
• best pH = optimum pH

Question 2

• What is temperature?
• What is pH?

Answer 2

• Measure of how much kinetic energy molecules have
• Measure of how acidic or alkaline a solution is

Question 3

• DESCRIBE enzyme activity at its optimum temperature/pH
• Why is enzyme activity low at low temperatures?

Answer 3

• Enzyme activity is increased to a max value. When the temperature/pH rises above the optimum, enzyme activity decreases.
• Enzyme and substrate molecules have less kinetic energy meaning in fewer collisions between them.

Question 4

What happens to enzymes that are way above their optimum temperatures/pHs?

Answer 4

They become denatured, meaning the shape of the enzyme is not complementary to its specific substrate.