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Show how the following factors affect the rate of enzyme controlled reactions. (i) Specificity (ii) Temperature (iii) pH

      

Show how the following factors affect the rate of enzyme controlled reactions.
(i) Specificity
(ii) Temperature
(iii) pH

  

Answers


Faith
Specificity: Enzymes are specific on nature. A particular enzyme will only act on a particular substrate. Two enzymes cannot act on the same substrate to bring out similar products.

Temperature: enzymes are protein in nature hence they are affected by changes in temperature. They work best within a narrow range of temperature. As temperature increases, optimum temperature is obtained where the reaction is at its maximum. Above the optimum temperature, the enzymes are denatured and the reaction sharply drops due to the destruction of their structure. This makes the enzyme ineffective. When the temperature decreases, the reaction decreases due to inactivation of the enzymes. Low temperature however foes not destroy the enzyme.

pH: this is the acidity or alkalinity of a substance. Most enzymes have a pH close to 7 which is the intracellular pH. Other enzymes however work best in acidic conditions. As the pH conditions increase from optimum, the enzyme activity decreases. This is because extreme acidity or alkalinity denatured the enzyme structure.
Faimus answered the question on December 6, 2017 at 05:14


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