Factors that affect enzymes Flashcards
What factors affect enzyme activity?
Temperature
pH
Concentrations
Inhibitors
How does temperature affect enzyme activity?
As temperature increases towards the optimal, KE increases, so the chance of collisions between substrate and enzyme increase. Therefore producing more products. Beyond the optimal the active site denatures and can’t bind with the substrate
What does the term “denature” mean?
The disruption of a molecule’s structure by an external factor such as heat
How does pH affect enzyme activity?
enzymes have their optimal pHs at which they function best denaturation of an enzyme occurs if it is exposed to an environment that is either above or below the optimal pH.
both overly acidic or basic environments can denature a given enzyme.
How does concentration affect enzyme activity?
substrate or enzyme concentration
beyond the saturation point some other limiting factor restricts the rate of reaction
How do inhibitors affect enzyme activity?
prevents the substrate from binding to the enzyme
What is a competitive inhibitor?
A molecule that is similar in shape to the substrate, may block the active site and decrease the rate of reaction
What is a non-competitive inhibitor?
binds to an allosteric (alternate position) site causing (indirectly) the active site to change shape, therefore preventing the substrate from binding
What is a co-enzyme?
Inorganic molecules or ions that bind to enzymes and assist with their function
- Mg+, Cl-, Ca+
What is a co-factor?
Organic molecules that bind to active sites to assist function
- ATP, NAD+, NADP+
What is the optimal?
the point at which for a given condition (e.g. temperature), the maximum function of an enzyme occurs.
