Name: Tesha
Status: Other
Grade: Other
Location: NY
Country: United States
Date: May 2007
Question:
How does temperature affect the metabolism of
cockroaches or ectotherms since enzymes work at optimum levels?
Replies:
The enzymes in ectothermic animals have been adapted through
natural selection to function at the range of temperatures
experienced by these organisms. In general, the reaction rate
of an enzyme catalyzed reaction increases by a factor of 2-3
for each 10 degree Celsius rise in temperature. Above about
40 degrees Celsius, enzymes will start to denature (unfold)
and become non-functional.
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