× Didn't find what you were looking for? Ask a question
Top Posters
Since Sunday
a
5
k
5
c
5
B
5
l
5
C
4
s
4
a
4
t
4
i
4
r
4
r
4
New Topic  
tony1995 tony1995
wrote...
11 years ago
Another way to denature and change some enzymes is by lowering their pH of the solution.

(Lactase normally works in the highly acidic environment of the stomach.)


 Would lowering the pH of the lactase solution affect the enzyme? Why or why not?
Read 812 times
2 Replies

Related Topics

Replies
wrote...
11 years ago
Lactase is made of proteins. Thus, changes in pH will change the tertiary structure of the protein, resulting in the active sites of lactase being uncomplementary to its substrate, thus denaturing it
wrote...
11 years ago
yes its true that any change in ionic environment has the ability to change the tertiary structure, active site etc. of an enzyme and therefore limit its function.  Even in your example where this enzyme functions normally at low pH, lowering the pH even further will have the same effect and lessen its specific activity.  All enzymes have an "optimal" rate of activity at a specific pH, and this rate goes down below and above it.  If you've seen a graphic of this it looks like a hill, the rate of catalysis approaching zero far below and far above the optimal pH.
New Topic      
Explore
Post your homework questions and get free online help from our incredible volunteers
  964 People Browsing
Related Images
  
 839
  
 345
  
 189
Your Opinion