Factors that effect Enzyme Catalysis
... Enzyme catalysis saves the need for an increase in temperature in order to speed up reactions within living things. ... In this investigation I intend to explore one of the factors that effects the rate of enzyme catalysis. My research from textbooks and the Internet suggests that this depends on several factors: temperature, pressure, pH and concentration. ... In order to design a suitable experiment and make a credible prediction, I must first explore more closely how temperature is likely to affect the rate of catalysis. Enzymes are specific - they only control one type of reaction; therefore I must use one specific enzyme in my experiment, in order to find a clear way of measuring the rate of reaction. ... Here, substrate molecules will bind with the enzyme (and other substrate molecules if necessary) and a reaction takes place. The enzyme itself is not affected and releases the new chemical after the reaction. ... Therefore when heat is applied to an enzyme and substrate, the particles speed up, increasing the rate at which they bind with each other. ... This is not quite true, as there is a limit to the temperature at which an enzyme can work because excessive heat causes an enzyme to become denatured and stop working. Also, there is a minimum temperature at which an enzyme can function. ... Although enzyme catalysis greatly reduces this, some energy is still required. Because of this the reaction is still unable to happen below a given temperature (this varies depending on the type of enzyme and reaction, as does the maximum temperature). If warmed to above the activation temperature, an enzyme will work again as normal. A denatured enzyme, however, is damaged and will not work again even if cooled below the optimum temperature. ... Above this optimum temperature, the rate of reaction will fall to zero very quickly, as the enzyme denatures. ... I will do this using the enzyme catalase. ... Any further than 60 degrees and the enzyme will denature; therefore preventing the experiment from working. ... I think that further work should be done between 30degrees and 40degrees in an attempt to find the exact optimum temperature for the enzyme catalyse.