Question

Explain factor effecting enzyme activity.

Answer 1

Factors affecting enzyme activity are

Temperature: The temperature at which an enzyme shows its highest activity is called optimum temperature. Enzyme activity decreases above and below 37 degree Celsius. Enzyme becomes inactive below minimum temperature and beyond maximum temperature. High temperature destroys enzymes by causing their denaturation. This occurs at 50 degree celcius or so.

pH: Every enzyme has an optimum pH when it is most effective. If the pH is lower or higher than the optimal pH, the enzyme activity decreases until it stops working.

Enzyme Concentration: The rate of a biochemical reaction rises with the increase in enzyme concentration up to a point called limiting or saturation point. Beyond this, increase in enzyme concentration has little effect.

Product concentration: If the products are allowed to remain in the area of the reaction, the rate of forward reaction will fall. Reverse reaction can also occur.

Substrate concentration: Increase in substrate concentration increases the rate of reaction. The enzyme molecules are saturated with substrate.The excess substrate molecules cannot react until the substrate already bound to the enzymes has reacted and been released.

Activators: They increase activity of enzymes, function as cofactors and convert pro enzymes to enzyme state. HCl of digestive juice changes pro enzyme pepsinogen to enzyme pepsin.