Which change would most likely increase the rate of an enzymatic reaction?

Which change would most likely increase the rate of an enzymatic reaction?

• A. Decrease in substrate concentration
• B. Increase in pH from 6.8 to 7.4
• C. Increase in the energy of activation
• D. Increase in temperature from 20°C to 37°C

Answer: (D)

Increasing the temperature from 20°C to 37°C is likely to increase the rate of an enzymatic reaction because enzyme activity typically rises with temperature, up to a certain point. At moderate temperature elevations, molecular motion increases, leading to a higher frequency of effective collisions between enzymes and substrates. Most human enzymes have optimal activity around 37°C, which is the normal body temperature. This temperature enhances the kinetic energy of the molecules, allowing for more effective interactions without denaturing the enzyme. As temperature rises significantly beyond the optimal point, however, enzymes may denature, losing their functional shape and resulting in decreased activity. The increase from 20°C to 37°C generally falls within the optimal range for many enzymes and thus enhances the reaction rate effectively.

Increasing the temperature from 20°C to 37°C is likely to increase the rate of an enzymatic reaction because enzyme activity typically rises with temperature, up to a certain point. At moderate temperature elevations, molecular motion increases, leading to a higher frequency of effective collisions between enzymes and substrates. Most human enzymes have optimal activity around 37°C, which is the normal body temperature. This temperature enhances the kinetic energy of the molecules, allowing for more effective interactions without denaturing the enzyme.

As temperature rises significantly beyond the optimal point, however, enzymes may denature, losing their functional shape and resulting in decreased activity. The increase from 20°C to 37°C generally falls within the optimal range for many enzymes and thus enhances the reaction rate effectively.