What is an enzyme and explain the effect of two environmental factors on their efficiency?

Enzymes act as biological catalysts for reaction that occur in organisms such as animals and plants. This means that they help to speed up reactions, or allow them to take place at lower activation energy levels. Enzymes are proteins, with an active site which is complementary to the enzyme substrate, meaning enzymes can only be used on specific reactions.

One of the most critical factors which heavily influences the efficiency of enzymes is temperature. As temperature decreases, so does the rate of reaction (positive correlation). However, if the temperature increases above the optimum (which tends to be 37 degrees for enzymes in humans), the enzymes denature, meaning that the rise in temperature causes the weak bonds holding the active site in shape break and the enzyme substrate no longer fits.  Concentration of enzymes is also another critical factor. As enzyme concentration increases, so does the rate of reaction - showing a positive correlation. However, at a certain point, the concentration of substrate will begin to limit the rate of reaction (new limiting factor), and the rate of reaction reaches a maximum.

-When answering  long answer questions in your biology exam, it is very important to use all the correct terminology to make it easy for examiners to grade.