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Enzymes

• Temperature - The temperature can affect the reaction rate. The higher the temperature, the faster the reaction will occur. However, at some point the temperature will become so high that the enzyme will denature and stop working.



• pH - In many cases the pH level, or acidity, of the environment around the enzyme and substrate can affect the reaction rate. An extreme pH (high or low) will typically slow the reaction or even stop the reaction altogether.



• Concentration - A higher concentration of substrate or enzyme can increase the reaction rate.



• Inhibitors - Inhibitors are molecules that are specially made to stop the activity of enzymes. They may just slow down the reaction or stop it altogether. Some inhibitors bond with the enzyme causing it to change shape and not work correctly. The opposite of an inhibitor is an activator which can help to speed up the reaction.

• Enzymes don't get used up after they do their job. They can be used over and over.
• Many drugs and poisons act as inhibitors to enzymes. Some snake venoms are inhibitors.
• Enzymes are often used in industrial applications such as food processing, paper manufacturing, and detergents.
• There is an enzyme in your saliva called amylase that helps to break down starches as you chew.
• Enzymes play an important role in breaking down our food so our bodies can use it. There are special enzymes to break down different types of foods. They are found in our saliva, stomach, pancreas, and small intestine.

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