Factors Affecting Enzymes Flashcards

All 7 cards in this deck

What does it mean to say an enzyme is denatured?

The shape of its active site has changed, so the substrate no longer fits and no enzyme-substrate complexes form.

Which two conditions can denature an enzyme?

High temperature and a pH far from the optimum.

True or false? Enzymes are killed by high temperatures.

False. Enzymes are not alive, so they cannot be killed — high temperatures denature them.

What happens to the rate of enzyme activity as temperature increases up to the optimum?

The rate increases.

What is the optimum pH of pepsin, and where in the body does it work?

pH 2, in the stomach (which secretes hydrochloric acid).

What happens to the rate of an enzyme reaction as substrate concentration increases?

The rate increases, then levels off when all the active sites are full.

What is the optimum temperature of an enzyme?

The temperature at which the enzyme works fastest, so the rate of reaction is highest.