Question

Explain the function of enzymes and how enzymes
can be denatured.

Answer 1

Enzymes are proteins that catalyze biochemical reactions in the body by lowering the activation energy. They can be denatured when exposed to extreme temperature, pH, or chemicals.

Step-by-step explanation:

Enzymes are proteins that play a crucial role in catalyzing biochemical reactions in the body. They work by lowering the activation energy required for a reaction to occur, thereby speeding up the reaction. Enzymes are specific to the substrates they bind to and have an active site where the substrate binds.

Enzymes can be denatured when exposed to extreme temperature, pH, or certain chemicals. Denaturation is a process in which the enzyme's three-dimensional structure is disrupted, causing it to lose its shape and function. Heat, high or low pH, and extreme chemical conditions can disrupt the weak bonds that maintain the enzyme's structure, leading to denaturation.

Answer 2

They speed up chemical reactions and are denatured by high temperatures and high pH.

Step-by-step explanation:

Enzymes speed up chemical reactions. They have specifc conditions that allow them to work effectively. Temperature and pH affects how enzymes work. The optimum temperature is the temperature at which enzymes will function best. In most instances they are around 37-40°C (in the human body). Temperatures above this will denatured (destroy) the enzymes therefore they cannot do their task. At Temperatures below the optimum temperature the enzymes activity is decreased to the point where they may not be active.

Optimum pH is the pH at which the enzymes works best. These vary based on the type of enzyme. Any pH above the optimum will denatured the enzymes (destroy). pH below the optimum will decrease the ezymes activity to the point where they may not be active