Factors Affecting Enzyme Action

Introduction-

Enzymes regulate the numerous and complex metabolic events in animals, plants and microbes. Enzymes are big protein molecules that act as biological catalysts. They accelerate chemical reactions within the cell. The enzyme comprises a series of amino acids that link together to form a polypeptide chain. The enzyme’s concentration, the substrate’s attention, temperature, hydrogen ion concentration (pH) and the presence of inhibitors are all factors affecting enzyme action.

Enzymes and the factors affecting them-

Enzymes are protein molecules acting as biological catalysts to accelerate chemical reactions within the cell. The enzyme is a series of amino acids that link together to form a polypeptide chain; they are chemical catalysts similar to other stimulants/catalysts. They take part in the response but are unaffected. Scientists studying the fermentation process discovered the existence of enzymes in the mid-nineteenth century. In other words, enzymes increase the rate of chemical reactions within cells without consuming them: the hydrogen ion concentration (pH) and temperature impact enzymes. In comparison to other catalysts, enzymes are particular, with each enzyme specialised for a single reactant chemical. This reactive substance is referred to as a substrate, and it is designed to perform only one or a few reactions. In addition, enzymes reduce the energy required to initiate a response. These are the enzyme’s most essential features taken together. Activators and inhibitors that initiate or hinder reactions are in charge of enzymes, controlling enzymes. Enzymes are found in all cells and vary in quantity and composition depending on the cell type; for example, an average human cell is about one billionth (10-9) the size of a drop of water and includes close to 3,000 enzymes.

Role of Enzymes

Large molecules, such as proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates, are broken down into smaller molecules by enzymes. This occurs in the stomach and intestines of animals during the digestion of food. Other enzymes transport the smaller, broken-down molecules into the circulation through the gut wall. Other enzymes aid in the production of cellular constituents by promoting the creation of large, complex molecules from small, simple ones. Enzymes are also responsible for various other tasks, including energy storage and release, the course of reproduction, respiration processes, and eyesight. They are necessary for survival. In medicine, enzymes are becoming increasingly significant. For example, the enzyme thrombin helps wounds heal faster. Other enzymes are used to diagnose specific diseases and induce remission in certain types of leukaemia. Each enzyme can only encourage one sort of chemical reaction at a time. Substrates are the chemicals that the enzyme reacts with. Enzymes work in metabolic pathways, which are highly organised metabolic systems. A seemingly simple biological phenomenon, such as muscle contraction or nerve impulse transmission, actually entails a large number of chemical steps in which one or more chemical compounds (substrates) are converted to substances called products; the product of one step in a metabolic pathway serves as the substrate for the next step in the path.

Factors influencing enzyme action-

1. Enzyme Concentration- When the enzyme’s concentration increases, the reaction rate proportionately increases. This unique property of enzymes helps determine the serum’s activities in diagnosing diseases.
2. Substrate Concentration- The enzymatic reaction rate proportionally increases as the substrate concentration increases when there is a specific enzyme amount. But it increases to a limiting reach. After this, there are no reaction changes irrespective of the substrate concentration changes. Because there is so much substrate at this time, almost all of the enzyme active sites are coupled to it. In other words, the substrate has saturated the enzyme molecules. The left-over substrate molecules cannot react until the substrate-bound to the enzymes reacts and is released (or been released without the reaction). To put it simply, Substrates interact with enzymes and then transform into products. When the concentration of substrate is increased, the enzymes’ velocity increases.
3. Effect of temperature on enzyme action- Enzymes work best when they’re kept at a temperature that’s comfortable for them. However, high temperatures can damage enzymes because they are protein molecules. When it is boiled, the curdling of milk is one example of such destruction, known as protein denaturation. In addition, the pace of chemical reactions tends to rise with temperature; therefore, increasing the temperature has two impacts on an enzyme: first, the reaction velocity increases slightly; and second, the enzyme becomes increasingly denatured. As a result, increasing the temperature only boosts the metabolic rate within a certain range.
4. Enzyme denaturation kills life when the temperature becomes too high. Low temperatures also alter the structures of enzymes. Cold-sensitive enzymes lose activity as a result of the shift. As a result, enzymes are harmed by both cold and heat extremes. The ideal temperature for enzymes is between 37 and 40 degrees Celsius.
5. Effect of pH on enzyme action- Acids are liquids with a pH less than 7, whereas bases or alkaline are liquids with pH more than 7. At 25 degrees Celsius, pH seven drinks are neutral and have the same acidity as pure water. The pH indicators can be used to determine the pH of any solution. Proteins with acidic carboxylic groups (-COOH) and basic amino groups are known as enzymes (NH₂). As a result, changing the pH value impacts the enzymes.
6. There is an ideal pH concentration for the enzyme to work, just as there is an optimum temperature. The activity of enzymes is reduced as the pH falls or rises. Some enzymes have strong catalytic activity in acidic environments, while others have good activity in alkaline environments. Every enzyme has a pH range where its activity is at its peak.
7. Effect of activators- For optimal activity, several enzymes require inorganic metallic cations such as Mn₂+, Mg₂+, Zn₂+, Co₂+, Ca₂+, Cu₂+,  K+, Na+, and others. Anions are occasionally needed for enzyme function, such as a chloride ion (CI–) for amylase.

Conclusion:-

In this article, we have discussed how factors affect enzyme action and understand what enzymes are and the effect of temperature on enzyme action, along with the impact of pH on enzyme action. We have also seen how enzymes play a crucial role in metabolism and act as catalysts for cells. We now know that enzymes are nothing but protein molecules that act as biological catalysts; they help in all kinds of functions and are found in all cells.