Enzymes Activity

Enzymes are proteins that increases the rate of or catalyze chemical reaction unchanged. They a very important part of our life because most chemical reactions in cells and tissues are catalyzed by enzymes. Each enzyme catalyzes only a specific chemical reaction. The enzymes have region with specific spatial conformation or special shape for the binding of the substrate called the active site. There are three factors that affect the activity of an enzyme: inhibitors, temperature, and pH scale.



The one of the main factor that affect the enzymes activity are inhibitors. Inhibitors stop enzymes from functioning. There are two types of inhibitors. One is competitive inhibitors which have a similar shape to the substrate and therefore can "compete" or try to fit in with enzyme. The second type of inhibitors are called noncompetitive inhibitors. The noncompetitive inhibitors do not bind to the active site but block other enzymes substrate complex from forming. The noncompetitive inhibitors also react with portions of the action site, changing the enzymes shape so it does not function anymore.



There is certain range in temperature and pH scale where enzymes can work in. Enzymes function best at a pH of 7.4. If the pH is too high or too low the enzyme is denatured. Enzymes that are suited for functioning in an acidic environment would denatured if they are in a basic environment. Enzymes function in the same way in temperature. If the temperature is too high or too low the enzyme is denatured and will be unable to function.