Question

PLEASE HELP ASAP!!! (AP BIO) A solution was made of water, salts and enzymes (functional proteins). After adding a strong acid, the enzymes no longer functioned as reaction catalysts. Explain how adding the strong acid altered the proteins’ structures and functions. Be sure to include the following terms in your answer: protons, three dimensional structure, carboxyl groups, polarity, tertiary structure, and denaturation.


Thank you in advance!

Answer 1

Strong acid will provide more proton(H+) which could ionize the carboxyl group of the amino acids, altering their polarity. This changes the secondary and tertiary structure of the protein that made the enzyme, caled denaturation.

The changes of secondary and tertiary structure will alter the enzyme three dimensional structure, cause the enzyme to lose the substrate and binding site and lose the catalysis function.