Lesson 7 - enzymes and temperature Flashcards
How does temperature affect enzyme activity in digestion?
Temperature affects how quickly enzymes work. As the temperature increases, enzyme activity increases, but only up to a certain point (the optimum temperature).
What happens to enzyme activity at very high temperatures?
At very high temperatures, enzymes become denatured. Their active site changes shape, so they can no longer bind to the substrate and stop working.
What is the optimum temperature for most enzymes in the human body?
The optimum temperature for most enzymes in the human body is around 37°C, which is body temperature.
How does enzyme activity change at temperatures below the optimum?
At low temperatures, enzyme activity is slower because the molecules move more slowly, reducing the chance of the enzyme and substrate colliding.
How do you identify the optimum temperature of an enzyme on a graph?
The optimum temperature is the peak of the curve on a graph showing enzyme activity against temperature. This is where the enzyme works the fastest.
What does the graph look like when an enzyme is denatured?
After the optimum temperature, the graph shows a sharp drop in enzyme activity because the enzyme is denatured and cannot function.
Why do enzymes stop working when denatured?
Enzymes stop working when denatured because the high temperature changes the shape of the active site, so the substrate can no longer fit.
Why is maintaining body temperature important for enzyme activity?
Body temperature is kept around 37°C to ensure that enzymes work at their optimum temperature, maximizing digestion and other processes.
