How Enzymes Denature

Enzymes have optimal conditions under which they operate. Temperature, pH, enzyme concentration and substrate concentration are some conditions that affect the rate of reaction. As enzymes are proteins, they have an optimum temperature in which they work. They also have a temperature above which they start to denature. This means the active site starts to change shape, so that they can no longer facilitate a reaction. When the active site changes shape, the substrate can no longer fit into the enzyme. This is known as denaturation. Enzymes also have an optimum pH. Enzymes that work in the stomach can function under strongly acidic conditions, whereas other enzymes would denature in these conditions.