Enzymes are specialized proteins that serve as catalysts for living organisms. Considering the effect of temperature on reaction rate, why is it so important that living organisms use catalysts?

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Chemistry

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2 October, 16:10

Enzymes are specialized proteins that serve as catalysts for living organisms. Considering the effect of temperature on reaction rate, why is it so important that living organisms use catalysts?

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Answers (1)

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Howard Holden · Answer 1

Answer: To enable cells to survive grow and reproduce.

Explanation:

Enzyme-catalyzed reaction are usually connected in series so that the product of one reaction becomes the starting material or substrate for the rest. This is important so as to keep the cell surviving and growing.

Like most chemical reaction, the rate of an enzyme catalyzed reaction increases as the temperature increases. In the case of enzymatic reactions, this is complicated by the fact that many enzymes are adversely affected by high temperatute, this is because the enzyme rapidly becomes denatured at temperature above 40°C.