Question

Increasing the rates of opposite pathways (i.e., pathways where one builds up a molecule from basic starting materials and the other breaks down the same molecule into the basic starting materials) by increasing the temperature isn’t helpful, even if you ignore issues of denaturing and boiling. Why aren’t such rate increases helpful to cells where they might take place?

Answer 1

Increasing the rates of opposite pathways by increasing the temperature isn’t helpful to cells because enzymes require specific temperature and pH conditions to function optimally and altering the rates of opposite pathways could disrupt cellular processes.

Step-by-step explanation:

Increasing the rates of opposite pathways by increasing the temperature isn’t helpful to cells where they might take place because the optimal functioning of enzymes is dependent on specific temperature and pH conditions. Enzymes are biological catalysts that lower the activation energy required for a reaction to occur. However, outside of the optimal temperature range, enzymes can denature and lose their three-dimensional structure, resulting in a loss of function.

Moreover, in cells, various metabolic pathways are tightly regulated and synchronized. Altering the rates of opposite pathways could disrupt the balance and coordination required for cellular processes. For example, in processes such as glycolysis and gluconeogenesis, which involve both building up and breaking down glucose, strict regulation is necessary to ensure energy production and homeostasis.