Now, adjust the temperature. What happens when you increase the temperature (1 point)? What happens if you decrease the temperature (1 point)? Do either of the enzymes become denatured with temperature? If so, at what temperatures (1 point)?

Answer 1

When you adjust the temperature, several effects can occur on enzyme activity:

1. Increasing Temperature: When the temperature is increased, enzyme activity typically increases up to an optimal temperature. Higher kinetic energy allows substrate molecules to collide more frequently with the enzyme's active site, leading to an increase in reaction rate. However, beyond a certain point (the enzyme's optimal temperature), the enzyme can begin to denature, losing its specific structure and function.

2. Decreasing Temperature: If the temperature is decreased, enzyme activity generally decreases. Lower temperatures reduce the kinetic energy of molecules, resulting in fewer collisions between enzymes and substrates, which slows down the reaction rate.

3. Denaturation: Yes, enzymes can become denatured with temperature changes. Each enzyme has a specific optimal temperature range; for many human enzymes, this is around 37°C (98.6°F). Denaturation can begin to occur at temperatures typically above 40-50°C (104-122°F), and it often becomes significant at temperatures above 60°C (140°F), leading to a complete loss of activity.

In summary, increasing temperature enhances enzyme activity up to an optimal point, while decreasing temperature reduces it, with denaturation potentially occurring at elevated temperatures, particularly above 60°C for many enzymes.