Some bacteria live in hot springs. Their cells contain enzymes that function best at temperatures of 70°C or higher.At a temperature of 50°C, how will the enzymes in these bacterial cells most likely be affected?

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Enzymes have optimal temperatures at which they function most efficiently. For bacteria that thrive in hot springs, their enzymes are adapted to work best at high temperatures (70°C or higher). At lower temperatures, such as 50°C, these enzymes will not be as effective in catalyzing reactions, meaning they won't increase the rate of reactions as much as they would at their optimal temperature. This does not imply they lose structure or are destroyed, just that their activity is reduced compared to their activity at optimal temperatures.

Some Bacteria Live in Hot Springs