How does temperature affect enzyme activity?

Temperature has a strong effect on how fast enzymes work because it influences the movement and structure of the enzyme and its substrate.

Here’s how it works simply:

1. At low temperature:
   • Molecules move slowly.
   • Enzymes and substrates collide less often.
   • The reaction rate is slow.
2. As temperature increases:
   • Molecules move faster.
   • Enzymes and substrates collide more often.
   • The reaction rate increases and reaches an optimum temperature, where the enzyme works best.
3. Beyond the optimum temperature:
   • Too much heat breaks the bonds holding the enzyme’s shape.
   • The enzyme denatures (loses its shape), and the active site no longer fits the substrate.
   • The reaction rate drops sharply.

In short:

• Low temperature → reaction slow
• Moderate temperature → reaction fast (best at optimum)
• High temperature → enzyme denatured, reaction stops