In human body, enzymes are used as a catalyst in reactions. Why the rate of reaction would decrease above 37 degree celcius in human body?
Enzymes serve as catalysts because of their shape and/or structure. They are usually quite specific for a particular process in the human body. The shape is sensitive to temperature. If the shape changes the enzyme may not be able to carry out its particular function. Secondly, if the temperature rises enough, the protein part of the enzyme may be degraded. In summary, increases in temperature may affect the shape or be involved in degradation of the enzyme. I hope this helps.
What type of reaction does the following reaction fall into C3H8(g)+5O2(g)=3CO2(g)+4H2O(g)
To find out why the rate of reaction would decrease above 37 degrees Celsius in the human body, one can consider the effects of temperature on enzymes.
Enzymes are proteins that act as catalysts, meaning they speed up chemical reactions without being consumed in the process. Enzymes have specific shapes that allow them to interact with and bind to specific molecules in order to facilitate reactions.
At temperatures below the optimal range (usually around 37 degrees Celsius in the human body), the rate of enzymatic reactions tends to increase as the temperature rises. This is because higher temperatures provide more energy to the reacting molecules, increasing their collision frequency and therefore the chance of successful reactions.
However, beyond a certain temperature, typically around 37 degrees Celsius in the human body, the rate of enzymatic reactions begins to decrease. This is due to two main reasons:
1. Denaturation: Enzymes have specific three-dimensional shapes that are essential for their function. At higher temperatures, the increased thermal energy can disrupt these delicate structures, causing the enzyme to lose its functional shape. When an enzyme is denatured, it can no longer effectively bind to its substrate(s) and catalyze the reaction, leading to a decrease in the rate of the reaction.
2. Protein degradation: Proteins, including enzymes, are made up of amino acids that are held together by various chemical bonds. At elevated temperatures, these bonds can become weaker, leading to protein degradation or even complete breakdown. If the protein part of an enzyme is degraded, its catalytic activity will be lost, leading to a decrease in the rate of reaction.
In summary, above 37 degrees Celsius in the human body, the rate of enzymatic reactions tends to decrease due to denaturation and protein degradation caused by the effects of high temperature on enzyme structure and stability.