How does denaturation affect an enzyme

This is one reason why tight homeostasis is physiologically necessary in many life forms. Denaturation is a process in which proteins or nucleic acids lose the quaternary structure, tertiary structure and secondary structure which is present in their native state, by application of some external stress or compound such as a strong acid or base, a concentrated inorganic salt, an organic solvent e. If proteins in a living cell are denatured, this results in disruption of cell activity and possibly cell death.

Denatured proteins can exhibit a wide range of characteristics, from conformational change and loss of solubility to aggregation due to the exposure of hydrophobic groups. Enzyme denaturation is normally linked to temperatures above a species' normal level; as a result, enzymes from bacteria living in volcanic environments such as hot springs are prized by industrial users for their ability to function at high temperatures, allowing enzyme-catalyzed reactions to be operated at a very high rate.

Linica Uday. Sep 20, Explanation: Most enzymes are folded into a particular shape to function. Related questions How does ph affect enzyme activity? What are factors that affect the activity of an enzyme-catalyzed reaction?

What are some internal environmental factors that directly influence the rate of enzyme action? Question 4dfad. Question a0b A graph to show the effect of pH on an enzyme's activity:. Suggest an enzyme that would produce a trend as shown in the graph above. Pancreatic protease trypsin.

Enzymes will work best if there is plenty of substrate available. As the concentration of the substrate increases, so does the enzyme activity. This means that more substrate can be broken down by the enzymes if there is more substrate available.

This does not mean that the enzyme activity does not increase without end. This is because the enzyme can't work any faster even though there is plenty of substrate available. So when the amount of available substrate exceeds the amount of enzymes, then no more substrate can be broken down. The enzyme concentration is the limiting factor slowing the reaction. As the concentration of the enzyme is increased, the enzyme activity also increases.

This means that more substrate will be broken down if more enzyme is added. Again, this increase in enzyme activity does not occur forever. So when the amount of available enzyme exceeds the amount of substrate then no more substrate can be broken down.

The substrate concentration is the limiting factor slowing the reaction. Factors affecting enzyme action Physical factors affect enzyme activity. Temperature At low temperatures, the number of successful collisions between the enzyme and substrate is reduced because their molecular movement decreases. How temperature affects enzyme action Higher temperatures disrupt the shape of the active site, which will reduce its activity, or prevent it from working.