Question

How does temperature affect enzyme activity?

Accepted Answer

An increase in temperature increases the kinetic energy of molecules so molecules move round more quickly and are more likely to collide with each other. Increasing temperature in an enzyme controlled reaction increases rate because the collisions between enzyme and substrate increase hence more enzyme substrate complexes are more likely to form.

An increase in temperature also after a certain point causes hydrogen and ionic bonds in enzyme structure to break which changes the shape of the active site and the enzyme becomes denatured and so enzyme-substrate complexes are no longer able to form.

Enzyme Temperature Increase Molecules Substrate Complexes Form Affect