Effects of Temperature and pH on Enzyme Function

Temperature Effects

• Rate of Reaction with Temperature:
  • Initial increase in temperature leads to an increased rate of enzyme-controlled reactions.
  • Increase in kinetic energy of particles leads to more collisions and reactions.
  • Optimal Temperature: The temperature at which the enzyme's activity is highest. For most enzymes in humans, this is around 37°C.
  • Denaturation:
    • Occurs around 45°C.
    • High temperatures break bonds holding the enzyme together.
    • Causes change in active site shape, preventing substrate binding.
    • Denaturation is permanent; lowering temperature doesn't restore function.

pH Effects

• Rate of Reaction with pH:
  • Extreme pH levels (too high or too low) reduce reaction rates.
  • Changes in pH can break enzyme bonds, altering the active site.
  • Initial changes allow substrate binding but slow the reaction.
  • Further changes prevent substrate binding, leading to denaturation.
  • Optimal pH:
    • Varies depending on enzyme and its environment.
    • Most human body enzymes have optimal pH around 7 (neutral).
    • Enzymes in the stomach have an optimal pH of around 2 (acidic).

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Conclusion: Understanding the effects of temperature and pH on enzymes is crucial for predicting and optimizing enzyme activity in different environments.