Question

A biochemist is attempting to replicate a chemical reaction that commonly takes place in cells. during the chemical reaction, starch is broken down into glucose. what will most likely happen if the amount of enzyme that catalyzes this reaction is increased?
a. the reaction will slow down.
b. the reaction will stop.
c. the reaction will speed up.
d. the reaction will take place at a higher temperature.

Answer 1

if the concentration of enzyme increases, then reaction should speed up (answer C).
enzyme speeds up a chemical reaction by lowering activation energy to provide an alternative pathway of reaction mechanism. assuming that enzyme which usually is the limiting factor, the increase of enzyme concentration should lead to more product formation i.e. maltose from the breakdown of starch.
the enzyme discussed here should be amylase.

higher temperature beyond optimum value enzyme found in our human body will usually least to denaturation of active site of enzyme. hence lead to loss of enzyme activity permanently.