Question

Explain the concept of reaction equilibrium and how the activities of enzymes depend on the temperature, ionic conditions, and pH of the surroundings.

Answer 1

Enzymes are special proteins that help all of the chemical reactions in our bodies occur more easily (faster --- ergo why they call enzymes 'catalysts').

Each enzyme has a preferred or optimal pH and temperature that it 'likes' to function at. If that particular pH or temperature is altered, the ability of that enzyme to do its job is altered (for the worse) as well.