Question

A 4-month old baby is admitted to the hospital with a fever of 104o F (compared to a normal temperature of 98.6o F) and a decreased blood pH. Why is it critical to reduce this fever as quickly as possible and restore normal pH? Discuss the role and sensitivity of proteins in (1) normal body chemical processes and (2) how enzyme activity is directly affected by changes in pH or temperature.

Answer 1

Stability and functions of the macromolecules present in our cell are dependent on pH. Changes in pH leads protein-protein aggregation and hence amyloid formation. Changes in pH affects protein folding process. In a similar manner, temperature also affects protein stability and folding. Hence it is necessary to restore the pH.

1. Proteins play major role as a enzyme, accelerating the reaction. These enzymes accelerate the chemical reaction by bringing down the activation energy of the reaction. These enzymes are very sensitive to the reactants they act on. That means enzymes are stereospecific. It is called specificity of the enzyme.

2. Activity of enzymes is majorly dependent on temperature and pH. Activity curve of enzymes is bell shaped. Hence changes is temperature and pH leads to lowering of the enzyme activity.