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Why do enzymes work more slowly as the temperature of their environment decreases?
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
- At lower temperatures, enzyme function slows down and if the temperature drops down low enough, enzyme function actually ceases but this can be reversed as soon as the temperatures become high enough again.
- At too high temperatures, the protein structure (most enzymes are proteins) of the enzyme may be permanently damaged and this is usually not reversible even if temperatures do come down.
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoEnzymes are functional proteins, held together by several non-covalent forces (Hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic interactions, ionic interactions, electrostatic forces). These forces maintain the 'conformation' that is the shape of the enzyme-protein. Its the precise shape of the enzyme which makes it functional. Loss of structure and loss of conformation, equals loss of enzyme function. As temperature increases, these bonds are broken, leading to loss of protein conformation and thus loss of enzyme function. Enzymes have a range of temperature at which they can function. At low temperatures, they are inactive. As the temperature rises, their function increases till it reaches a maximum (optimal temperature for enzyme function). If temperatures continue to rise, the efficiency of the enzyme reduces, till at very high temperatures, there is denaturation of the protein structure and complete loss of function. Exceptions : anti-freeze proteins in animals dwelling in arctic temperatures and heat tolerant enzymes (eg Taq polymearse enzyme used in Polymerisation chain reactions, which was isolated from T. aquaticus - a bacteria living in the hot geysers of Yellowstone National Park) found in highly heat tolerant bacteria (like the ones living in hydrothermal vents and sulphur geysers).
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What is the importance of temperature balance in the body?
Even though the temperature of your outer extremities varies a lot, your core body temperature around the main internal organs must be kept at a constant 37oC. This is because enzymes, which are crucial in keeping your body functioning, are most efficient at catalysing reactions at this temperature. If the temperature gets too high, the shape of the proteins in the enzymes changes - it becomes "denatured" and can no longer catalyse its specific substrate. If your core body temperature decreases too much, enzymes work much more slowly than they should.
What effect does low temperature have on photosynthesis?
At low temperatures the enzymes which carry out photosynthesis have very little energy, therefore they cannot perform photosynthesis very quickly. jordon Adams
Why would an enzyme produce more product at one temperature more so then another?
Enzymes do not 'produce' products. They increase the speed of the reactions they work on, for instance we react starch with water to produce maltose, and this is catalysed by amylase. Temperature affects the activity of the enzyme because of two factors:Thermal motion. As the temperature decreases, particles move more slowly and therefore collide less frequently, consequently the reactants and the enzyme encounter each other less often and the reaction is slowed.Denaturing. Above a certain temperature the chemical structure of the enzyme is destroyed and it can no longer work.Thus there is an optimum temperature for the action of the enzyme.
What are the optimum conditions for enzyme activity in the human body?
The optimal condition for all the body systems to work at their best, including enzymes, hormones, and other chemicals that affect metabolism is a relatively balanced state that is called homeostasis.
What factors affect enzyme activity?
Temperature - too cold the enzyme will still work but slowly, too hot and the enzyme will become denatured . As temperature increases, the kinetic energy of the molecules increases so they move around more, meaning that there are more collisions between the enzymes and substrate molecules and therefore more reactions. pH - different types of enzymes work best in different pH environments. A change in pH interferes with the shape of the enzymes active site (where it bonds and reacts with substrate) and therefore does not fit the shape of the substrate as well so the enzyme is unable to work on the substrate. enzyme and substrate concentration - how many there is of each. Changing the concentrations of enzyme and substrate concentrations will affect the number of collisions between them and therefore the number of reactions. enzyme inhibitors - these are molecules which bind to enzymes, reducing their activity (many drugs are enzyme inhibitors). co-factors - these are chemical compounds which bind to enzymes and which are needed by the enzyme to work on substrate molecules. They are often called helper molecules.
What happened when the particles in an object begin to move slowly?
the temperature decreases.♥♥ (=^_^=)
What happens when saturated solution at a certain temperature is cooled slowly?
When cooling, a precipitate will be formed as the solublity product decreases.
What is the ralationship between temperature and height in the troposphere?
Temperature decreases with altitude. On an average, the temperature decreases by 3.5 degrees F for every 1000 ft of altitude (6.5 degrees C for every 1000 meters). The rate depends on if the air is dry or moist - in dry air, the temperature decreases more quickly, in moist air more slowly.
The coffee cream and sugar will dissolve readily in cold water why or why not?
As temperature decreases, the rate of dissolution or solubility decreases. so sugar will dissolve slowly in cold water than water at room temperature. Sugar will dissolve faster in hot water.
How does temperature affects chemical changes?
Chemical changes generally go more quickly when the temperature increases, and conversely more slowly when it decreases.
What causes tomatoes to ripen much more slowly in a refrigerator than they do if left on a table at a room temperature?
Low temperatures reduce the action of ripening enzymes. When tomatoes are stored in a refrigerator the colder temperature causes ripening enzymes to slow down, which slows the ripening process.
What would happen without enzyms?
Without enzymes your body would process more slowly.
When to amount of water In a glass slowly decreases this is due to?
evaporation
When the amount of water in a glass slowly decreases this is due to .?
evaporation
What is the effect of emphysema on inspiratory reserve?
It slowly decreases it over time.
What is the importance of temperature balance in the body?
Even though the temperature of your outer extremities varies a lot, your core body temperature around the main internal organs must be kept at a constant 37oC. This is because enzymes, which are crucial in keeping your body functioning, are most efficient at catalysing reactions at this temperature. If the temperature gets too high, the shape of the proteins in the enzymes changes - it becomes "denatured" and can no longer catalyse its specific substrate. If your core body temperature decreases too much, enzymes work much more slowly than they should.
What effect does low temperature have on photosynthesis?
At low temperatures the enzymes which carry out photosynthesis have very little energy, therefore they cannot perform photosynthesis very quickly. jordon Adams
