FACTORS AFFECTING ENZYME ACTIVITY

Answer the following questions.

1. What is activation energy of a chemical reaction and why is it required?
This small amount of energy input necessary for all chemical reactions to
occur is called the activation energy (or free energy of activation) and is abbreviated
𝐸𝐴. Activation energy is t he energy required for a reaction to proceed; it is lower if
the reaction is catalyzed.

2. Describe the effect an enzyme has on activation energy.

Enzymes are biological catalysts. Catalysts lower the activation energy for
reactions. The lower the activation energy for a reaction, the faster the rate.
Thus enzymes speed up reactions by lowering activation energy.

3. What happens to the speed of a chemical reaction when a catalyst is present?

A catalyst speeds up a chemical reaction, without being consumed by the
reaction. It increases the reaction rate by lowering the activation energy for a
reaction.

4. Complete the graphic below. You do NOT need to write the questions on your own
sheet of paper.

Enzymes are proteins whose main function is to
lower the activation energy of any reaction. This
means that the reaction would require less energy
to proceed and bring about products. So
overall, enzymes are catalysts that catalyse
biological reactions in all living organisms
Several factors affect the rate at which
enzymatic reactions proceed - temperature,
pH, enzyme concentration, substrate
concentration, and the presence of any
inhibitors or activators.

ENZYMES
Initially, an increase in substrate concentration
The enzyme speeds up the reaction by lowering
leads to an increase in the rate of an enzyme-
the activation energy needed for the reaction to
catalyzed reaction. As the enzyme molecules
start. Compare the activation energy with and
become saturated with substrate, this increase in
without the enzyme. Enzymes generally lower
reaction rate levels off. The rate of an enzyme-
activation energy by reducing the energy needed
catalyzed reaction increases with an increase in
for reactants to come together and react.
the concentration of an enzyme.
Use the graph below to answer questions 5-7.
5. At what temperature does this enzyme work the fastest?
At 20 degree Celsius

6. Why does enzyme activity increase on the left side of the graph?
As the enzyme molecules become saturated with substrate, this increase in
reaction rate levels off.

7. Why does enzyme activity decrease on the right side of the graph?
All of the enzymes in the system bind to the substrate, the additional substrate
molecules must wait for the enzyme to become available after the reaction is
complete. This means that as the enzyme concentration decreases, the reaction rate
will decrease.

8. Which enzyme works best in neutral conditions?

Cholinesterase

9. Which enzyme is not affected by pH?

Papain

10. Which enzyme works under alkaline conditions?

Chymotrypsin

11. Which enzyme might be found in acidic gastric juices?

Pepsin