SB1h - Enzyme Activity Flashcards
1
Q
State the 4 factors that affect enzyme activity.
A
Temperature
pH
Enzyme concentration
Substrate concentration
2
Q
Explain why enzymes decrease in reactivity when they aren’t at their optimum temperature.
A
- At low temperature
molecules move slower
(have less kinetic energy) - At optimum temperature
they work the fastest – more
enzyme substrate
complexes form as they
gain kinetic energy - Above optimum temperature
they start to denature
(active site changes shape)
so activity decreases, until all
enzymes are denatured and
enzyme activity drops to 0
3
Q
Explain why rate of reaction increases as substrate concertation increases but stops after a while.
A
As substrate concentration
increases, rate of reaction increases
too as more product is produced
- But if substrate increases too much,
there will not be any free active
sites to bind with substrate
molecules. - So the enzymes are working at their
maximum speed and the rate of
reaction becomes constant