1. In an experiment, a scientist notices that an enzyme’s catalytic rate decreases when the pH of the environment is changed. Which of the following best summarizes the effect of pH on the enzyme?
A.
pH changes the shape of the enzyme.
B.
pH takes energy away from the enzyme, thus slowing it down.
C.
pH changes the atomic structure of the enzyme.
D. pH changes the ability of the enzyme to dissolve in water
To determine the correct answer to this question, we need to understand the relationship between pH and enzyme activity. One way to do this is to conduct a literature search on the topic and find studies or articles that specifically discuss the effect of pH on enzyme activity.
A good starting point would be to search for keywords such as "effect of pH on enzyme activity" or "pH dependence of enzymes" in scientific databases or search engines like Google Scholar. This can help us find relevant studies and articles that provide information on the specific enzyme in question.
Once we have gathered information from credible sources, we can analyze the results to determine the effect of pH on the enzyme's catalytic rate. It is important to look for patterns and trends in the data to make an informed conclusion.
Based on the information available, the correct answer to the question is:
A. pH changes the shape of the enzyme.
Enzymes are sensitive to changes in pH because they are proteins that have specific three-dimensional shapes. A change in pH can alter the charges on the amino acid residues in the enzyme, affecting its overall shape and disrupting its active site. This, in turn, can reduce the enzyme's catalytic rate or even render it completely inactive.
It is crucial to note that pH can affect different enzymes in different ways, so the specific effects of pH may vary depending on the enzyme under study.