Factors affecting enzyme action

• Increasing the concentration of the substrate...

  1. Increases the number of successful collisions between enzyme's active sites and substrates
  2. More enzyme-substrate complexes can be formed, and more products
  3. There is a point at which all active sites of enzymes will be occupied, after this point is reached increasing the substrate concentration will not affect the rate of reaction
• A change in pH...

  1. Alters the charges on the amino acids that make up the active site of the enzyme
  2. A change in pH can cause breakage of the bonds that maintain the enzymes tertiary structure
  3. The shape of the active site is altered
  4. The substrate can no longer bind to the active site
  5. No enzyme-substrate complex is formed
• Extremes of pH...

  1. Denature the enzyme
  2. The change in pH affects bonding, causing the active site to change shape
  3. Ionic bonds cannot be maintained, and the protein is denatured
• Practical application of enzyme action

  1. Keratin, found in hair, is held in shape by disulphide bonds
  2. A reducing agent is used to break disulphide bonds
  3. An oxidising agent is used to form new bonds in different places when hair is around a roller
  4. This causes the hair to curl