What does heat do to an enzyme and why can enzymes not be 'killed'?

Enzymes are proteins that are polymers made up of amino acid building blocks. When enzymes are made by cells, they are made as a long chain of amino acids that after some time, can fold up to form a specific, three-dimensional (3D) shape. This 3D shape is held together by a series of chemical bonds, such as hydrogen bonding, and it is this specific shape that determines what reaction an enzyme catalyses.When enzymes are heated up, they become denatured. This means that the protein no longer works as an enzyme (to catalyse reactions) as the energy provided by the heat is enough to break the chemical bonds that hold it in a specific 3D shape. This unravels the amino acid chain and there is no enzyme activity any more. Enzymes cannot be 'killed' as they were never alive in the first place - they are simply a polymer of amino acids and are a part of living organisms.

JR
Answered by Jacob R. Biology tutor

12938 Views

See similar Biology A Level tutors

Related Biology A Level answers

All answers ▸

Explain the structure of DNA.


Haemophilia is a disease that affects blood clotting. People with haemophilia are sometimes given a protein called factor VIII. Factor VIII is an enzyme that is involved in the process of blood clotting. Explain how a change in the primary structure of f


Describe how muscle cells contract


What are the innate and adaptive immune systems and how do their roles overlap?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning