Many enzymes have active sites that contain acidic or basic amino acids. A chang

Question

Many enzymes have active sites that contain acidic or basic amino acids. A change in pH can alter the charge on these amino acids as they release or accept H^+, changing the charge and function of the enzyme. The human body expends energy to maintain homeostasis, including pH homeostasis, because even a slight change in pH can have serious consequences. This is one reason why enzymes have optimum pH ranges, just as they have optimum temperatures. A deviation from the optimum pH interferes with the enzyme's activity. An example of a graph of enzyme activity (measured by reaction rate) and pH is shown. Place each of the phrases at the appropriate pH value, pH 6 or pH 8.

Explanation / Answer

Clearly, there is a peak at pH = 8, so this is the optimal pH

pH 6 is not 100% efficient, so:

the enzyme may be denatured --> at pH = 6, since it is not optimal

the enzyme may not bind to subtrante --> clearly not the highest optimal point, so pH = 6

reaction rate is maximal --> the optimal pH, 8

normal ionic bonds may be disrupted --> pH 6

optimum pH --> pH = 8

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