How does temperature affect enzyme activity?

A low temperatures enzyme activity will be slow but as the temperature rises the enzyme will gain more kinetic energy and hence move around more enabling greater interaction with the substrate. This will result in more enzyme substrate complexes (ESC's) being formed allowing the enzyme to break down the substrate. Additionally, a greater temperature will give the enzyme more energy to overcome the activation energy to bind with the substrate and form the ESC. Enzyme activity will increase as temperature increases until it reaches the optimum temperature where activity is at its greatest. After this point, activity will begin to slow and ultimately stop, as a greater temperature could cause the enzyme to denature as bonds in the tertiary structure of the enzyme may be disrupted leading to a change in the overall 3D shape of the protein, altering the active site so it is no longer complimentary with the substrate.

Answered by Amelia W. Biology tutor

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