In: Chemistry
In section 7.4, the textbook states that in virtually all cases, reaction rates increase with increasing temperature. The rule of thumb is that for every 10°C increase in temperature, the reaction rate doubles. Consider if this is true in an enzyme-catalyzed reaction. In an enzyme-catalyzed reaction, if the temperature is increased by 10°C, what would you expect to happen?
The reaction rate slows because the enzyme partially or completely denatures at the increased temperature.
The reaction rate doubles, in accordance to the rule set forth about the relationship between reaction rate and temperature.
The reaction rate quadruples because the reaction rate for both the enzyme and substrate are affected by temperature.
The enzyme catalyzed reaction works in a narrow range of temperature which is optimum for a particular reaction.
The activity of enzyme as such does not vary with temperature as other inorganic catalysts.
It's activity is however very sensitive towards temperature.
On variation of temperature towards both sides of optimum temperature i.e. Increase or decrease the activity of the enzyme decreases.
While on higher temperature the enzyme structure is denatured and the enzyme is inactive. Lower temperature preserves the enzyme in a temporarily inactive state.
examples- carbonic anhydrase, lactate dehydrogenase
Some enzymes are even active at very low temperature like antifreeze enzymes in arctic fishes.
Some are even stable at very high temperature like Taq polymerase accquired from Thermus aquaticus used in DNA amplification .