Final answer:
Enzymes are biological catalysts that act on specific substrates. If an enzyme is denatured, typically due to changes in temperature or pH, its shape changes and it can no longer bind to the substrate, rendering it incapable of performing its function.
Step-by-step explanation:
Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in cells by lowering the activation energy. They work by having a specific shape that fits with the substrate they are intended to work on - this specific region is known as the active site.
When an enzyme is denatured, its specific three-dimensional shape changes, most often due to changes in temperature or pH. This change in shape means that the active site no longer fits the substrate, and the enzyme is unable to perform its catalytic function. Denaturation is usually irreversible, so the enzyme will no longer work.
Learn more about Enzyme Denaturation