What are some examples of reactions that slow down when temperature rises?
Nearly all biochemical reactions, for example, are catalyzed by rather delicate protein molecules called enzymes. Warming a biochemical reaction increases its rate as expected – up to a certain temperature. Heating beyond that point actually decreases the reaction rate and further heating can stop the reaction completely. Heat causes the enzyme to unravel or unfold, and the enzyme’s shape is critical to its ability to accelerate the reaction. Even some inorganic reactions can slow down when things heat up.
