Enzymes
PRE-LAB QUESTIONS
1. List three conditions that would alter the activity of an enzyme. Be specific with your
explanations.
- If the salt concentration is too high or too low, it can alter the enzyme's activity. An
enzyme’s protein structure can be shifted by changing its charged amino acids' behavior.
- Temperature could affect enzyme activity too. Enzymes can become damaged, lose
functionality, or are entirely denatured when the temperature gets too high.
- pH can also alter enzyme activity and affect how well it performs. A change in pH can
affect an enzyme's active site, protein structure, or the ionization of its substrate because
enzymes only work within a small pH window
2. Describe two different catalysts and explain why they would be used in a chemical
reaction.
Catalysts include enzymes like salivary amylase, which hydrolyzes its substrate amylose (starch
component). The catalase enzyme accelerates the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide into water
and oxygen
3. What are the practical applications of using enzymes?
A practical application of enzymes is laundry detergent, which commonly contains protease.
1.
©2019, eScience Labs
PRE-LAB QUESTIONS
1. List three conditions that would alter the activity of an enzyme. Be specific with your
explanations.
- If the salt concentration is too high or too low, it can alter the enzyme's activity. An
enzyme’s protein structure can be shifted by changing its charged amino acids' behavior.
- Temperature could affect enzyme activity too. Enzymes can become damaged, lose
functionality, or are entirely denatured when the temperature gets too high.
- pH can also alter enzyme activity and affect how well it performs. A change in pH can
affect an enzyme's active site, protein structure, or the ionization of its substrate because
enzymes only work within a small pH window
2. Describe two different catalysts and explain why they would be used in a chemical
reaction.
Catalysts include enzymes like salivary amylase, which hydrolyzes its substrate amylose (starch
component). The catalase enzyme accelerates the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide into water
and oxygen
3. What are the practical applications of using enzymes?
A practical application of enzymes is laundry detergent, which commonly contains protease.
1.
©2019, eScience Labs
