List three conditions that would alter the activity of an enzyme. Be specific with your explanation.
Answer
- Temperature – An increase in temperature up to the optimum level increases enzymatic reaction, and an increase beyond optimum temperature denatures the enzyme hence a decrease in reaction rate. A decrease in temperature below the optimum decreases enzymatic activity.
- Substrate concentration – High concentration of substrates increases enzymatic reaction while a decrease in substrate concentration lowers enzymatic activity.
- Enzyme concentration – Increase in enzyme concentration increases enzymatic reaction until the limiting rate when further increase result to no change in reaction rate. When enzyme concentration decreases, the reaction rate decreases as less enzyme is bound.
Explanation:
When available enzymes are bound to the substrate, additional substrate wait for the enzyme to be available in order to bind. This is why high enzyme concentration provides more surfaces for substrate to bind and hence higher reaction rate. Temperature denatures bonds hence high temperature beyond optimum decreases enzymatic reaction. However, moderate increase in temperature below optimum increases atomic collisions which in turn increase enzymatic reaction.
