You have isolated a new endoglucanase enzyme. Through various enzymes assays, you are trying to determine the optimal conditions for this enzyme's activity. You make the following observations: i. when performing the assay at 40°C using buffers with different possibilities, you observe that the enzyme has no activity below pH 3 or above pH 11. You observe high activity at pH 6 and about 50% of this activity level at pH 5 and pH 7. ii. When performing the assay using a buffer at pH 6, you measure almost no activity at a temperature of 10°C. However, the activity steadily rises when tested at 20°C, 30°C, 40°C and 50°C, where the highest activity was measured, before declining at 60°C. At 70°C there is no measurable activity. Explain the meaning of these observations and identify the optimal pH and temperature conditions for the endoglucanase enzyme. Further more, explain why these observations occur based on your knowledge of the effects of pH and temperature on enzymes.

Human Heredity: Principles and Issues (MindTap Course List)
11th Edition
ISBN:9781305251052
Author:Michael Cummings
Publisher:Michael Cummings
Chapter10: From Proteins To Phenotypes
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 10QP: b. Compounds A, B, C, and D are known to be intermediates in the pathway for production of protein...
icon
Related questions
icon
Concept explainers
Question
You have isolated a new endoglucanase enzyme. Through various enzymes assays, you are trying to determine the optimal conditions for this enzyme's activity. You make the following observations: i. when performing the assay at 40°C using buffers with different possibilities, you observe that the enzyme has no activity below pH 3 or above pH 11. You observe high activity at pH 6 and about 50% of this activity level at pH 5 and pH 7. ii. When performing the assay using a buffer at pH 6, you measure almost no activity at a temperature of 10°C. However, the activity steadily rises when tested at 20°C, 30°C, 40°C and 50°C, where the highest activity was measured, before declining at 60°C. At 70°C there is no measurable activity. Explain the meaning of these observations and identify the optimal pH and temperature conditions for the endoglucanase enzyme. Further more, explain why these observations occur based on your knowledge of the effects of pH and temperature on enzymes.
Expert Solution
steps

Step by step

Solved in 4 steps

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Macromolecules
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biochemistry and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
  • SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Human Heredity: Principles and Issues (MindTap Co…
Human Heredity: Principles and Issues (MindTap Co…
Biology
ISBN:
9781305251052
Author:
Michael Cummings
Publisher:
Cengage Learning