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Multiple Choice
Which of the following factors can change the shape of an enzyme's active site?
A
Product concentration
B
Enzyme concentration
C
Substrate concentration
D
Temperature
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand that enzymes are proteins that catalyze biochemical reactions by lowering the activation energy required for the reaction to proceed.
Recognize that the active site of an enzyme is the region where substrate molecules bind and undergo a chemical reaction.
Learn that temperature can affect the shape of an enzyme's active site by influencing the kinetic energy of the molecules. Increased temperature can lead to increased molecular motion, potentially causing the enzyme to denature, which means it loses its specific shape.
Consider that denaturation involves the breaking of weak bonds, such as hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces, which maintain the enzyme's structure. This can alter the active site, reducing the enzyme's ability to bind substrates effectively.
Note that while product, enzyme, and substrate concentrations can affect the rate of reaction, they do not directly change the shape of the enzyme's active site like temperature does.