Vmes and reaction rates are affected by several factors:
cozymes operate at specific ph levels. for example, since your stomach is a highly acidic environment, the
mes that work in your stomach function better at acidic ph levels. other enzymes, like amylase in the
saliva in your mouth, operate optimally at a ph closer to 7. if an enzyme is subjected to a ph outside of its
timal range, it denatures and can no longer bind to substrates to catalyze reactions.
enzymes also have optimal temperatures. when they are subjected to temperatures outside of their optimal
reaction rates may slow down. if an enzyme is subjected to a temperature that is too high, it will
manently denature and will no longer be able to bind to substrates to catalyze chemical reactions.
2) look at the two graphs below. what is the optimal temperature for the enzyme? what is the optimal ph for
the enzyme? how do you know?
reaction rate versus temperature
reaction rate versus ph
enzyme activity -
enzyme activity -
60
7
0
to
20 30 40 50
temperature (celsius)
how do you know?
temperature =
ph =