How does temperature affect cellular respiration rates?

Increased temperature generally raises the rate of cellular respiration, primarily because it enhances enzyme activity. Enzymes, which are crucial for facilitating the biochemical reactions involved in cellular respiration, typically function more efficiently at higher temperatures, up to an optimal level. This is due to the fact that an increase in temperature provides more kinetic energy to the molecules involved, leading to a higher frequency of collisions and reactions.

However, it is important to note that this increase in respiration rate only continues up to a certain temperature. Beyond this optimal point, enzymes may start to denature, losing their structural integrity and, consequently, their functionality. The denaturation process effectively reduces the rate of cellular respiration. Therefore, the correct understanding is that while moderate increases in temperature enhance respiration, extreme temperatures can be detrimental.

This concept helps clarify why temperature cannot be deemed irrelevant to respiration rates, nor can it be said that respiration rates only rise at low temperatures, as this overlooks the positive impact that moderate warming can have on metabolic processes.