Question

Briefly describe the factors affecting enzyme activity.

Answer 1

The factors affecting enzyme activity are:

• The enzyme concentration: The enzyme activity increases with an increase in enzyme concentration as more enzyme means more amount of substrate can be converted to product.
• The substrate concentration: The enzyme activity increases with an increase in substrate concentration up to a maximum limit after which no more sites are available for more substrate molecules to bind to the enzyme.
• Temperature. All enzymes work within the range of optimum temperature. Temperatures higher or lower than the optimum temperature causes a reduction in enzyme activity.
• pH: Enzymes have an optimum pH for them to function and cannot function under different pH conditions. For example, pepsin acts in an acidic pH.
• Activators: Certain metal ions (cations) or anions act as activators and are necessary for optimum enzyme activity. E,g: chloride ion is needed for amylase to function.