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

12032 Views

See similar Biology GCSE tutors

Related Biology GCSE answers

All answers ▸

What are the key features of natural selection?


How does the circulatory system work?


What are the processes of transcription?


What is diffusion?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo
Cookie Preferences