Factors Affecting Enzyme Activity Flashcards
What must happen for an enzyme to catalyse a reaction?
Must come into contact with the substrate, and the enzyme must have a complementary shape for the substrate.
What factors can affect an enzymes complex structure?
pH and temperature.
What can a change in pH and temperature cause for the enzyme?
A change in the shape of their active site. Enzymes are more likely to come into contact with the substrate if temperature and substrate concentration are increased.
How can factors affecting enzyme action be investigated?
By measuring the rate of reaction they catalyse.
How does temperature affect enzyme activity?
Increasing the temperature increases the KE of the particles. They they move faster and collide more frequently.
In an enzyme controlled reaction, what will an increase in temperature result in?
More frequent successful collisions between substrate and enzyme which lead to an increase in the ROR.
What is the temperature Coefficient (Q10) of a reaction?
A measure of how much the ROR increases with a 10 degree rise in temperature.
In enzyme controlled reaction, Q10 often takes 2. What does this mean?
The ROR doubles with a 10 degree temperature increase.
How does Denaturation occur from temperature?
-At higher temperatures, bonds vibrate more.
-As temperature increases, vibrations increase until bonds strain and break.
-Results in a change in the precise tertiary structure of the protein.
How does denaturation effect the enzyme?
-Active site changes shape, no longer complementary to substrate.
-Enzyme will no longer function as a catalyst.
What is the optimum temperature?
The temperature at which the enzyme has the highest rate of activity. It can vary significantly.
What is the optimum temperature for human body enzymes?
Around 40 degrees
What is the optimum temperature for Thermophilic Bacteria? (found in hot springs)
70 degrees
What is the optimum temperature for Psychrophilic Organisms? (live in cold regions)
Below 5 degrees
What happens once the enzyme has denatured above optimum temperature? And what type of change does it have to be?
The decrease in rate of reaction is rapid. Only needs to be a small change in active site to no longer be complementary.
Why is loss of activity pretty abrupt?
Happens to all enzyme molecules around the same temperature.
What happens with regards to the optimum temperature in an enzyme-controlled reaction?
Temperature coefficient (Q10) no longer applies as enzymes have denatured.