Question

Why do microbes grow optimally in different environmental conditions (what is the relationship to enzymes)?

Answer 1

Enzymes are the proteins, which decrease the activation energy of reaction and catalyze the reaction process. Enzymes need specific conditions to work at their maximum levels, i.e. they need specific pH, temperature, the presence of co-factors, etc. However, excessive temperature, exposure to proteolytic enzymes and abnormal pH conditions cause enzyme denaturation.

As the enzymes are key components of cellular metabolism (includes the growth and metabolism), the microbes grow optimally in different environmental conditions. Most of the human pathogenic microbes grow best a temperature of 37-degree centigrade and their enzymes require this temperature to function.