Ask A Scientist Molecular Biology Archive

name Ashley M.
status student
age 18

Question - Do different pH levels effect the rate of yeast fermentation?
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All biological processes are affected by pH because all biological 
processes are catalyzed by enzymes which are by definition proteins, and 
the conformation (tertiary structure) of all proteins are affected by pH 
(Hydrogen ion concentration) because the Hydrogen bonds and ionic bonds 
which maintain the tertiary structure can be broken by extremes in Hydrogen 
and Hydroxyl ion concentration which is what pH measures.

Ron Baker
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