Increasing The Temperature

Question 1

What does increasing the temperature also increase?

Answer 1

Kinetic energy

Question 2

An increase in kinetic energy has what effect?

Answer 2

There is a greater amount of collisons between the enzymes active site and the substrate

Question 3

If there are a greater amount of collisions, what happens to the amount of products and why.

Answer 3

The amount of products that are formed increases as more enzyme substrate complex’s are forming

Question 4

Does the amount activation energy increase with temperature?

Answer 4

Yes

Question 5

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

Answer 5

It decreases because the enzymes start to denature

Question 6

Explain the process of denaturation?

Answer 6

• increased temp -> increased KE of enzyme and substrate
• molecules vibrate
• vibration causes the weak bonds to break
• tertiary structure unravels and active site is no longer complementary
• enzyme no longer functions

Question 7

What is meant by “weak bonds” and why does the enzyme unravel when they break

Answer 7

• weak bonds i.e hydrogen bonds / ionic bonds
• they occur in large numbers in enzymes and are responsible for holding the tertiary structure and maintaining the shape of the active site
• therefore as they break the tertiary structure unravels

Question 8

Is primary structure of the enzyme affected by denaturation?

Answer 8

No

Question 9

Can you reverse denaturation?

Answer 9

No- the tertiary structure is too damaged to be rebuilt