Enzyme Environmental Conditions

Analyze data showing how changes in enzyme structure, substrate concentration, and environmental conditions (pH, temperature, salinity, etc.) affect enzymatic activity - ie. include a graph of each example and predict the effects when one of the parameters is further changed.

Justify and explain your predictions.

Enzymes have ideal states of pH and temperature in which they have optimal enzymatic activity. If an enzyme is placed in an environment in which the pH or temperature is not ideal, the rate at which it functions will be altered. Take a look at the graphs below. If a typical human enzyme was placed in a thermophilic bacteria, the human enzyme would be inactive and possible become denatured. Why? Because the optimal temperature for the enzyme to activate is around 37 degrees, anything past 50 degrees is too high and the enzyme can become damaged because it is not in an environment in which it can survive. Same goes for pH with pepsin and trypsin. They cannot exchange locations and be expected to function because they are only stable and functioning in their own environment.

Mastering Biology | Pearson; Campbell Biology