Chapter 4 :

Chemical Composition of the Cell

Factors Affecting Enzyme Activity :

pH
Change in pH will have an adverse effect
on the rate of an enzyme-catalysed
reaction because each enzyme can only
function optimally at a particular pH.

Optimum pH:
(a) The pH at which the rate of reaction
is at the maximum.
(b) Mostly ranges from 6 to 8.
Change in pH:
(a) Can change the charges on the active
sites of the enzymes and the substrate
surfaces.
(b) Reduce the ability of both molecules to
bind each other.
 The charges on the active
In an acidic condition
site and the surface of the
substrate undergo
changes.
The enzyme-substrate
complex cannot be
formed.
For example:
(a) Pepsin can only function in an acidic
condition (pH 2) within the stomach.
(b) Trypsin can only function in an alkaline
condition (pH8.5) within the duodenum.
The effects of pH are normally reversible.
 pH in the environment reverts to the
optimum level for enzymes.

Ionic charges on the active sites restored

The enzyme continue their normal function.

 The optimum pH of some enzymes

Rate of enzyme activity

Optimal pH
of most enzymes
Optimal pH in human cells Optimal pH
of pepsin of trypsin

pH
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Prepared by:
Lok Yen Yao
Sherra Yeong
Cheong Pek Lam
{ 4 Alpha 2009 }