Just like how we become more active on a sunny day, enzymes too get more active with warmth. But why?
Enzymes are fussy about where they work, especially when it comes to pH (how acidic or alkaline a solution is).
pH is all about hydrogen ions (protons). More ions = more acidity.
The pH scale might sound tricky, but think of it like the volume control on your music player. Each number is 10 times louder (or in this case, more acidic) than the previous one.
🎵 Real-world example: pH 6 is like soft background music, but pH 4 is like a full-on concert!
Every enzyme has its favorite pH song where it dances best. Move away from this favorite, and the enzyme starts to feel out of tune and might stop working.
Fun fact: Ever wondered why your laundry detergent works so well? There's an enzyme from a bacterium (Bacillus licheniformis) that loves dancing in alkaline pH, which is what detergents usually have!
Dive deeper and gain exclusive access to premium files of Biology HL. Subscribe now and get closer to that 45 🌟
Just like how we become more active on a sunny day, enzymes too get more active with warmth. But why?
Enzymes are fussy about where they work, especially when it comes to pH (how acidic or alkaline a solution is).
pH is all about hydrogen ions (protons). More ions = more acidity.
The pH scale might sound tricky, but think of it like the volume control on your music player. Each number is 10 times louder (or in this case, more acidic) than the previous one.
🎵 Real-world example: pH 6 is like soft background music, but pH 4 is like a full-on concert!
Every enzyme has its favorite pH song where it dances best. Move away from this favorite, and the enzyme starts to feel out of tune and might stop working.
Fun fact: Ever wondered why your laundry detergent works so well? There's an enzyme from a bacterium (Bacillus licheniformis) that loves dancing in alkaline pH, which is what detergents usually have!
Dive deeper and gain exclusive access to premium files of Biology HL. Subscribe now and get closer to that 45 🌟