How The Temperature Affects The Enzyme Reaction?

Increase and decrease in temperature affect the activity of the enzymes. Usually the activity f the enzymes is optimum at normal body temperature. At very low temperature the activity of the enzymes is minimum. Beyond 6o to 70 degree centigrade, usually their activity is permanently stopped de to the denaturation of enzymes.

The rate of enzyme-controlled reaction may increase with increase in temperature but up to a certain limit. All enzymes can work at their maximum rate at a specific temperature called optimum temperature.

Heat provides activation energy and therefore, chemical reactions are accelerated at high temperature. Heat also supplies kinetic energy to the reacting molecules, causing them to move rapidly. Thus the reactants move more quickly and chances of their collision with each other are increased. However, further increase in heat energy also increases the vibrations of atoms, which make up the enzyme molecule. If the vibrations become too violent, globular structure essential for enzyme activity is lost and the enzyme is said to be denatured.