The relationship between temperature and the rate of chemical reactions is generally direct: as temperature increases, the rate of reactions typically increases as well. Higher temperatures provide reactant molecules with more energy, enhancing their kinetic activity. This increase in energy leads to more frequent and forceful collisions between reactants, thereby accelerating the rate of reaction. However, exceedingly high temperatures can denature enzymes and disrupt biochemical pathways. Understanding this relationship is essential for fields like biochemistry and environmental science.