Unexpected Enviromental factors On Enzyme Activity?

  • Thread starter Thread starter bjon-07
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Activity Factors
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the effects of temperature on enzyme activity, specifically B-galactosidase, as measured in a college cellular biology lab. The experiment utilized a Spec-20 spectrophotometer to assess absorbance at 420 nm, revealing an unexpected graph with two peaks of enzyme activity: one at 37 degrees Celsius and another at 60 degrees Celsius. This observation raises questions about the possibility of enzymes exhibiting dual peak efficiency, challenging the conventional understanding that enzymes denature at high temperatures.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of enzyme kinetics and reaction rates
  • Familiarity with spectrophotometry and the use of Spec-20
  • Knowledge of temperature effects on enzyme structure and function
  • Basic principles of cellular biology and enzymatic reactions
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the mechanisms behind enzyme denaturation and stability at high temperatures
  • Explore the concept of enzyme isoforms and their activity at varying temperatures
  • Learn about the impact of pH and other environmental factors on enzyme activity
  • Investigate the use of enzyme assays in laboratory settings for measuring activity
USEFUL FOR

Students in biological sciences, particularly those studying enzymology, laboratory technicians, and educators looking to deepen their understanding of enzyme behavior under varying environmental conditions.

bjon-07
Messages
83
Reaction score
0
Hi all,

I am currently a college frosh taking cellular biology lab. In lab we did an experminet to measure how tempature effects enzyme activity. We put 1 mL of B-galactosidase (when a certain substrate is added to this enzyme, a yellow liquid (product) is formed). Then we use a Spec-20 to measure the absorbance of light at 420 nm, thus we can measure the rate of the reaction).

I know that a graph of enzyme activity (rate) vs. temperature should produces an upside down possion distributin ( or a funky "U" shape) This beacasue enzymes have a peak tempature at which they work best at.


On my graph, the curve contains two peaks, one at 37 degree (body temp) and the other at 60 degrees.

Can an enzyme have two peak levels of effcintcy. It does make sense to me. I thought that the rate at which enzymes process substrate increase with temaperature until the tempature is high enough to denature the enzyme rendering it inactive.

Thank your the help, it is greatly apperated
 
Biology news on Phys.org
At that temp,the enzyme should be denatured and completely useless. Could something else have caused the peak?

Nautica
 

Similar threads

Enzyme kinetics Km Vmax Alcoholdehydrogenase
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
5K
Effect of Inhibitors on Enzyme Activity: Enzyme Lab Exam Help
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
8K
Maximizing Enzyme Activity: Effect of Inhibitors in Biology Lab | Study Help
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
10K