TOPIC: ENZYMES

LO Explain how pH and temperature effect the rate of

enzyme controlled reactions
Starter: Sketch the graphs you would expect to see on rate
of reaction as:
a) pH increases
b) Temperature increases

Factors affecting enzymes

If the temperature and pH changes sufficiently beyond

an enzymes optimum, the shape of the enzyme
irreversibly changes.
This affects the shape of the active site and means that
the enzyme will no longer work.
When this happens the enzyme is denatured.

heat
pH
normal

denatured

When temperature increases the reaction also

increases as the molecules have more kinetic energy

But this only occurs up to

the optimum temperature
(usually about 40oC)

The temperature at
which the rate of
reaction is
fastest is known as the
optimum temperature

After the optimum temperature the heat

causes the enzyme to denature

The enzyme changes shape and the active site no longer

matches the shape of the substrate molecule >

Rate of reaction of an enzyme reaction

changes at different temperatures
Optimum temperature

Rate
Of
Reaction

Enzyme
is denaturing

Molecules gain
kinetic energy

10 20 30 40 50 60 70

Temperature/oC

The activity and shape of enzymes is also

affected by pH
Enzymes prefer to work at an optimum pH. Outside of its
pH range the enzyme is denatured.
Optimum pH

pepsin

amylase

Rate
Of
Reaction

7
pH

10

11

12

1. At higher temperatures substrate molecules and enzymes

have more kinetic energy. Therefore, substrates and
enzymes are more likely to collide and bind together.
Therefore, from a low temperature to the optimum
temperature, rate of reaction increases.
2. The enzyme molecules are also gaining in energy and begin
to vibrate. Eventually the molecules vibrate so much that
they lose their 3D shape. If the active site changes shape
enzymes can no longer catalyse reactions are said to be
denatured. Therefore, at very high temperatures enzyme
activity slows down.
3. Denaturation is usually irreversible.
4. The conditions that an enzyme works best at are called the
optimum conditions.
5. Changing the acid or base (pH) conditions around an enzyme
can also effect its 3D shape. If the active site changes
shape the enzyme can no longer catalyse reactions. Each
enzyme has its optimum pH depending on its environment.

Summary
Keywords:
catalyst

catalyse

protein

catalase

amylase

lactase

pectinase

trypsin

pepsin

substrate

active site

product

temperature

optimum

denature

pH

protease

enzyme