Biology HL
Biology HL
4
Chapters
553
Notes
Theme A - Unity & diversity
Theme A - Unity & diversity
Theme B - Form & Function
Theme B - Form & Function
Theme C - Interaction &  Interdependence
Theme C - Interaction & Interdependence
Theme D - Continuity & Change
Theme D - Continuity & Change
IB Resources
Theme C - Interaction &  Interdependence
Biology HL
Biology HL

Theme C - Interaction & Interdependence

Unveiling Enzyme Activity Impact of Temperature, pH, and Concentration

Word Count Emoji
550 words
Reading Time Emoji
3 mins read
Updated at Emoji
Last edited on 14th Jun 2024

Table of content

Enzymes & temperature 🔥

Just like how we become more active on a sunny day, enzymes too get more active with warmth. But why?

  • Kinetic Energy: As a liquid heats up, the tiny particles in it (like enzymes and substrates) start dancing faster. This means they bump into each other more often! This is good for enzyme activity.
  • But there's a twist! If the party gets too heated, enzymes start to lose their shape. Think of them like ice sculptures melting in the sun. This process is called denaturation.
    • ☀️ Real-world example: It's like chocolate. At the right warmth, it's soft and melts in your mouth. But if it gets too hot, it melts completely!
  • So, as temperature rises, enzymes are like Goldilocks - they like it "just right". Too cold, they're lazy. Too hot, they melt.

Enzymes & pH 🌈

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!

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IB Resources
Theme C - Interaction &  Interdependence
Biology HL
Biology HL

Theme C - Interaction & Interdependence

Unveiling Enzyme Activity Impact of Temperature, pH, and Concentration

Word Count Emoji
550 words
Reading Time Emoji
3 mins read
Updated at Emoji
Last edited on 14th Jun 2024

Table of content

Enzymes & temperature 🔥

Just like how we become more active on a sunny day, enzymes too get more active with warmth. But why?

  • Kinetic Energy: As a liquid heats up, the tiny particles in it (like enzymes and substrates) start dancing faster. This means they bump into each other more often! This is good for enzyme activity.
  • But there's a twist! If the party gets too heated, enzymes start to lose their shape. Think of them like ice sculptures melting in the sun. This process is called denaturation.
    • ☀️ Real-world example: It's like chocolate. At the right warmth, it's soft and melts in your mouth. But if it gets too hot, it melts completely!
  • So, as temperature rises, enzymes are like Goldilocks - they like it "just right". Too cold, they're lazy. Too hot, they melt.

Enzymes & pH 🌈

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!

Unlock the Full Content! File Is Locked Emoji

Dive deeper and gain exclusive access to premium files of Biology HL. Subscribe now and get closer to that 45 🌟