ph effects on enzyme activity
High levels of pH can denature a enzyme. The word denature means to change the shape of something so it doesn't work the way it should. Enzymes are affected by pH levels because if it is not a neutral pH, the compounds will start to break down. We believe that pH for catalase activity in living things must be around a 7. This is because the body needs to maintain homeostasis. If the pH levels are too high or too low, it can denature the enzymes. If the enzymes become denatured, it would be a lot harder to complete the catalase activity. In this case, it did match our predictions because we stated that in order to maintain homeostasis, we need to be in an area that has a neutral pH. Not all of our experiments were neutral, but they did what they needed to do to maintain homeostasis.
buffers A buffer is a solution containing either a weak acid or a weak base which is resistant to drastic pH changes. When using a buffer, it helps change the pH in a substance, but it does not allow it to change quickly or drastically. It's used to change the original pH on the scale. It can go up one or more pH marks, and it can go down one or pH marks. If a buffer was not used, the enzyme would become denatured more rapidly because the enzyme would break, along with its substrate. Our bodies, along with other animal's, produce their own buffers to maintain the bodies internal stability.
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enzymes Enzymes act as protein catalyst. They need to stay at a constant temperature and pH level to stay intact. When broken, as stated before, the enzyme will become denatured. The denatured enzyme is unable to have any other reactions and will not be able to break down, or speed up any reactions. An enzyme is called a catalyst because it speeds up reaction rates or substances while breaking it down and using the least amount of energy as possible. After an enzyme is used once it cannot be reused. As an example, saliva breaks down foods, but when swallowed, the body needs to produce new saliva.
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