Enzymes and digestion (CCEA)How does temperature affect enzyme activity?

Enzymes are proteins that act as biological catalysts, meaning they speed up reactions without being used up.

Part ofCombined ScienceLiving processes

How does temperature affect enzyme activity?

Temperature

As temperature increases to the , the of the and increases, causing more collisions between the enzyme and substrate.

Enzyme factor temperature

This causes the formation of more enzyme-substrate complexes, leading to an increase in enzyme activity.

An increase in temperature beyond the optimum causes the enzyme’s to become .

This means the active site loses its important shape and can no longer form enzyme-substrate complexes, leading to a decrease in enzyme activity.

Enzymes denaturation

Denaturation is a permanent change.

Some enzymes (e.g. in biological washing powders) are thermostable, meaning they can work at a wide range of temperatures.

This allows biological washing powder to be used at low temperatures that saves energy and money.