Question

How do temperatures above the range of maximum growth effect bacterial cells?

a.high temperatures cause water to exit bacterial cells.
b.high temperatures denature essential enzymes and other proteins.
c.high temperatures slow down bacterial metabolism.
d.high temperatures rupture bacterial cell walls. submit for grading save and finish later?

Answer 1

The answer B. The integrity of the structure of proteins and enzymes is essential to their function. High temperatures cause the breaking of the weak hydrogen bonds between functional groups and motifs of protein. Even higher temperatures disrupt disulfide bond in proteins. This loss of structure of proteins and enzymes disrupts the active sites conformation hence the protein or enzyme ceases to catalyse biochemical reactions.