What is the importance of water for enzymatic activity?
In the abstract of the scientific paper cited, it shows that two different enzymes had higher activity when they were present in solutions of higher water contents. One of the theories is that the structure , or three-dimensional conformation, in the presence of increasing water content reaches an optimal configuration so that the enzyme can attach to its substrate more efficiently and catalyze the reaction. The studies conclusion indicates that, as the percent of water is increased, the structure of the enzyme becomes more fixed and rigid in its optimal configuration. This rigidity favors optimal activity. It makes one think that the effects of having a dehydrated body can have on the biochemical functioning of the body. Drink your 8 glasses of water per day!
