Exemplar Problems
Question:
How do factors such as temperature, pH, and substrate concentration affect enzyme activity? Provide examples.
Answer:
Enzyme activity is influenced by various factors:
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Temperature: Enzymes have optimal temperature ranges, and deviations from this range can denature the enzyme. For example, most human enzymes have optimal temperatures near body temperature (37°C).
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pH: Enzymes have optimal pH values. Extreme pH levels can disrupt enzyme structure. For instance, pepsin in the stomach functions optimally at a low pH.
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Substrate Concentration: Initially, increasing substrate concentration enhances enzyme activity until saturation occurs. As an example, increasing substrate concentration for the enzyme amylase accelerates starch digestion until all amylase active sites are occupied.
BETA
