AP BIOLOGY

BIOCHEMISTRY

ENZYMES AND METABOLISM

Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
Enzymes need certain environmental conditions in order to function properly. What happens when enzymes are heated to a high temperature?
A
they die
B
they denature
C
they change their amino acid sequence
D
they work better
Explanation: 

Detailed explanation-1: -Temperature: Raising temperature generally speeds up a reaction, and lowering temperature slows down a reaction. However, extreme high temperatures can cause an enzyme to lose its shape (denature) and stop working. pH: Each enzyme has an optimum pH range. Changing the pH outside of this range will slow enzyme activity.

Detailed explanation-2: -High heat destroys enzymes. Enzymes are protein molecules that get denatured at high temperatures. High heat breaks hydrogen and ionic bonds leading to disruption in enzyme shape. The enzyme loses its activity and can no longer bind to the substrate.

Detailed explanation-3: -Denaturation of enzymes causes bonds to be broken, structure to be disrupted and it stops functioning. This happens to enzymes when they are exposed to extreme, unsuitable conditions, for instance, high temperatures or extreme pH levels.

Detailed explanation-4: -If the shape of the active site is altered by a temperature change, the substrate can no longer bind and the enzyme is rendered ineffective. Thus, changes in environmental conditions can stop the enzyme from functioning effectively, or at all, by denaturing it.

Detailed explanation-5: -At low temperatures, an increase in temperature increases the rate of an enzyme-catalyzed reaction. At higher temperatures, the protein is denatured, and the rate of the reaction dramatically decreases. An enzyme has an optimum pH range in which it exhibits maximum activity.

There is 1 question to complete.