Question

If the temperature is lowered to 45°C, what is the likely effect on the enzymes in these bacteria?

A) The enzymes will be able to lower the activation energy of their reactions more easily.
B) The enzymes will lose their structure and fall apart.
C) The enzymes will bind to more substrate.
D) The enzymes will not catalyze reactions as efficiently.

Answer 1

Lowering the temperature to 45°C will likely result in the enzymes in these bacteria not catalyzing reactions as efficiently.

Step-by-step explanation:

When the temperature is lowered to 45°C, the likely effect on the enzymes in these bacteria is that they will not catalyze reactions as efficiently (D). Enzymes have an optimal temperature range at which they function best, and temperatures outside of this range can affect the chemical bonds within the active site of enzymes, making them less well suited to bind substrates. Additionally, high temperatures can cause enzymes to denature, losing their three-dimensional structure and function.