The graph below shows the effectiveness of an enzyme at various temperatures ranging from 0 degrees Celsius to 60 degrees Celsius. What is the best explanation for the behavior of this enzyme at temperatures higher than approximately 40 degrees Celsius?
- The heat has caused the enzyme and substrate molecules to move more slowly.
- The enzyme cannot get any more oxygen at warmer temperatures and dies.
- The enzyme becomes denatured and loses its 3-D structure.
- The enzyme becomes more active due to the increased availability of substrate molecules at higher temperatures.
- A second enzyme had destroyed the active sites on the enzyme being examined.
Answer(s): C
Explanation:
The best explanation is that heat had caused the denaturation of the enzyme. Enzymes are sensitive to temperature, pH, and certain other conditions. If the conditions become too extreme, enzymes lose their 3-D shapes and cannot function.