“In living organisms, biochemical reactions are facilitated by catalyst, substances that accelerate reactions but are not consumed or permanently changed in the process (Vilet, 1993).” An enzyme is very specific in the reactions in which it undergoes: it contains an active site that allows only certain reactants to bind to it. In the experiment of enzyme kinetics, we examined the absorbance levels and rate of reactions of amylase and starch with varied temperature and pH levels. We hypothesized that environmental factors, temperature and pH level, increase reaction rates and thus we expected

Function. Academic Press Inc., New York.

Now in order to maintain its specific function, an enzyme must retain the specialized shape of its active site. “Environmental factors such as temperature and pH levels have been known to alter the conformation of a protein (Neilands, 1955).” The goal of this is experiment is to find the optimum levels of temperature and pH that maximize the reaction rate between enzyme amylase and substrate starch without causing “instability or denaturation (Neilands, 1955).”

The results of both experiments supported the hypothesis that both temperature and pH have a clear effect on the reacting molecules and the catalytic activity of the enzyme. We found however that an enzyme works optimally at a certain pH or temperature and not efficient at lower or higher temperatures and pH levels. Since absorbance is used as a measure of reaction, the greatest rate of conversion of amylase and starch to glucose was seen midway through the data. In experiment one (temp. vs. time), we observed the highest levels of absorbance at a temperature of 55 deg C. As the temperature was increased, the rate increased. With enzymes, however, a “point of diminishing returns (Neilands, 1985)” is reached, since the enzyme itself will suffer “thermal deactivation at higher temperatures (Gaebler, 1956)”. In experiment two (pH vs. time); the highest levels were in a pH level of 5.5. We found the stability of pH is profoundly affected by pH. Beyond a pH level of 5.5 the enzyme went through major “denaturation (Neilands, 1955).” At his point, the absorbance levels were extremely low (0.422 at pH level 6.5), with reduced reaction rates.

Some topics in this essay:
Results Figure, Material Methods, Kinetics Abstract, reaction rates, ph levels, ph level, reaction rate, absorbance values, temperature ph, level 55, ph level 55, absorbency values, neilands 1955”, initial absorbance, Principle Biology, Vilet KA, Neilands JB, Gaebler OH, 60 70 deg, reaction rate increase, temperature ph levels, Boston Massachusetts, Inc York, temperature 55 deg,