Why do enzymes stop working at high temperatures?

With this question, you have to remember that enzymes are proteins. When the temperature gets too hot, the enzyme denatures. Denaturing is where the bonds that hold the enzyme together break, causing the active site of the enzyme to change shape. Because the active site has changed shape, the enzyme is unable to function properly and eventually the enzyme will stop working altogether. The effect of temperature of enzymes can be shown on a graph - you should be able to remember what the graph looks like.

CR
Answered by Callum R. Biology tutor

8681 Views

See similar Biology GCSE tutors

Related Biology GCSE answers

All answers ▸

what is the difference between diffusion and active transport?


How does vaccination make a person immune to a disease?


By which processes does glucose enter the cell?


What is eutrophication, and how does it happen?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning