Question

station 11—honors
answer the questions based on the graphs in part i.

1. what is the function of an enzyme?
2. what is happening to the substrate with enzyme function?
3. describe the pattern of enzyme function shown by the data in the graphs.
4. at which ph is the enzyme functioning best? explain why.
5. if at one ph the substrate is all converted to product in 5 seconds, and at another ph it takes 7 seconds for all of the substrate to be converted, at which ph is the enzyme functioning best? why?

Explanation:

1. Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed - up chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy.
2. The substrate binds to the enzyme's active - site and is converted into products through the enzyme - catalyzed reaction.
3. Without seeing the graphs, in general, enzyme function may show patterns like an increase in reaction rate with increasing substrate concentration up to a point (saturation), or changes in activity with varying pH or temperature.
4. Enzymes have an optimal pH at which they function best because the structure of the enzyme (especially the active - site) is most stable and conducive to substrate binding and catalysis at this pH. The optimal pH varies for different enzymes.
5. The enzyme is functioning best at the pH where the substrate is converted to product in 5 seconds because a shorter reaction time indicates a higher reaction rate, meaning the enzyme is more effective at catalyzing the reaction at that pH.

Answer:

1. Enzymes act as biological catalysts to speed up chemical reactions by lowering activation energy.
2. The substrate binds to the enzyme's active - site and is transformed into products.
3. Varies depending on the graph (e.g., saturation with substrate, pH/temperature - activity relationships).
4. Depends on the enzyme's optimal pH which stabilizes its structure for best function.
5. The pH where it takes 5 seconds, as it has a higher reaction rate.