2.3 - Factors affecting Enzyme Action

• How does temperature affect enzyme function?

  Denaturation - active site changes shape and the enzyme can’t bind to the substrate
• How does pH affect enzyme function?

  Denaturation - pH gets too high or too low and the active site changes shape and enzyme can no longer bind to the substrate
• What does the term optimum mean for enzyme temperature and pH?

  The temperature and pH at which enzyme activity is highest
• What is pH?


  A measure of acidity
• How does temperature cause an enzyme to denature?

  High temperatures break the bonds holding the enzyme together. This causes the active site to change shape and the enzymes active site will no longer be complementary to the substrate.