Final answer:
Environmental factors like temperature, pH levels, substrate concentration, and the presence of inhibitors or activators greatly influence enzyme activity, potentially leading to increased reaction rates or enzyme denaturation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Environmental factors greatly impact enzyme activity and efficiency. Temperature is a critical factor, as it can increase the rate of reactions to a point but may lead to enzyme denaturation when outside of an optimal range. Similarly, optimal pH levels are specific for each enzyme, and deviating from these levels can lead to denaturation or a reduced ability for enzymes to bind substrates effectively. Additionally, substrate concentration affects enzyme activity, increasing the reaction rate up to the point of saturation, where enzymes are working at their maximum capacity and can bind no additional substrate. Other influential factors include the presence of enzyme inhibitors, coenzymes, cofactors, activators, and local ionic conditions, which can modify enzyme activity either positively or negatively.