Effect of Temp. and pH on Enzymes

• What is the role of enzymes in chemical reactions?

  Enzymes speed up chemical reactions.
• What is the active site of an enzyme?

  The active site is where the substrate fits and the reaction occurs.
• What is the substrate in an enzyme-catalyzed reaction?

  The substrate is the molecule that the enzyme reacts with.
• What is the lock and key theory in relation to enzymes?

  • Enzymes are specific to their substrates
  • The substrate must fit perfectly into the active site
• How does temperature affect enzyme activity?

  Temperature increases enzyme activity up to an optimum point.
• What is the optimum temperature for most human enzymes?

  37 degrees Celsius.
• What happens to enzyme activity when the temperature exceeds the optimum?

  Enzyme activity decreases and can stop due to denaturation.
• What does it mean when an enzyme's active site is denatured?

  The active site has changed shape and no longer fits the substrate.
• How does pH affect enzyme activity?

  • Each enzyme has an optimum pH
  • Activity is maximum at this pH
  • Extreme pH levels can denature the active site
• Why do different enzymes have specific optimum pH levels?

  Each enzyme is adapted to its specific environment.
• What type of questions can be expected regarding the effect of temperature and pH on enzymes?

  Questions will focus on how temperature and pH affect enzyme activity and denaturation.