What happens to enzyme activity at high temperatures?

At high temperatures, enzyme activity typically decreases due to denaturation. Enzymes are proteins that have a specific three-dimensional structure necessary for their function. This structure is held together by various types of bonds and interactions that can be disrupted by excessive heat. When the temperature rises beyond an enzyme's optimal range, the energy from the heat can cause these bonds to break, leading to a loss of the enzyme's shape. This denaturation alters the enzyme's active site, preventing it from binding effectively to its substrate, which results in decreased catalytic activity. In some cases, if the temperature is excessively high, this denaturation can be irreversible, meaning that the enzyme cannot regain its functional shape even if conditions normalize. Overall, understanding this relationship between temperature and enzyme activity is crucial in biological processes, as enzymes play vital roles in facilitating biochemical reactions.