Question

In an experiment involving an enzyme, the pH is raised from 2 to 11. What will be the MOST LIKELY effect of this on the reaction? A) The enzyme will denature, stopping the reaction. B) The activation energy of the reaction would be reduced. C) The rate of reaction will reduce due to a decrease in the kinetic energy of the molecules D) The rate of reaction will increase due to the increased number of collisions of the enzyme and substrate.

Answer 1

A the enzyme will denature, stopping the reaction

Answer 2

Answer:

A) The enzyme will denature, stopping the reaction.  

Explanation:

Enzymes:

Enzymes are the biological molecules that speed up the particular reaction within the body but they themselves remain unchanged.  

Enzyme actually catalyzes the reaction by reducing the activation energy of the reaction.

There is a number of factors that effects enzyme activity. These factors are

1) Substrate concentration

2) Enzyme concentration

3) Temperature

4) pH  

In this section, we only discuss about the pH

pH:

pH is the negative logarithm of H ion concentration. If we are changing the pH from 2 to 11 it means that we are converting acidic environment into a basis environment. hence this will affect enzyme activity and enzyme becomes denatured.

For example:

Pepsin enzyme is present in the stomach and has a role in-digestion. This enzyme works best at 2 pH. Changing pH causes its shape and active site to change and hence denatures the enzyme.