4A_Enzymes

media type="googlespreadsheet" key="tbKRpB1oAMUARYAD6SvvU-A" width="560" height="336"  1. In **trial 1 ** , why did the rate eventually decrease? What could have been added to maintain the initial rate? Because with a lower concentration of substrates in the solution, there would be a higher chance of a water molecule bumping into the enzyme instead of a substrate, so it would take a longer time for a substrate to meet the enzyme and the reaction to take place. To maintain the initial rate, for every molecule of substrate processed, another substrate would have to be added to the solution.
 * Discussion Questions:**

2. If a huge number of black balls were added will it change the maximum rate? Why? No. Under the same conditions (eg. pH, temperature), the enzyme would always process the substrates at the same rate, regardless of the number of molecules of the substrate around it. It will, however, result in the rate decreasing more slowly (ie the maximum rate will be maintained for a longer period of time.) Note: assumes that there was a rather high concentration of substrates in the first place.

3. Coloured balls were removed in **trial 2 ** . What does this simulate? How does that affect the rate of enzyme reaction? This simulates the solution becoming more concentrated with the substrate. As mentioned above, the rate of enzyme reaction will, on a whole, be faster, though the maximum rate will not change.  4. How else could you change the rate of reaction? I could change the temperature (optimum temperature of enzymes in humans: 37'C, in plants: 25'C). The pH could also be changed. Also, if the number of enzymes was decreased, then the rate would also decreased.

5. Why does an active site not work as well if its active site is changed? Because the substrate would no longer fit the active site.

6. What environmental factors affect enzyme shape? A change in environmental conditions such as pH, temperature, or salt concentration would destroy/change the shape of the enzyme, so it would no longer be able to work / work as well.

7. How might chemical affect you if they act like the tennis ball during your bodily reactions? We would die. :D It would result in a lower rate of enzyme reaction. Although many chemical reactions can still take place, but they would no longer take place fast enough to sustain life. (metabolism)