1.4.1 - Enzymes Flashcards
define a catalyst
substance that speeds up a reaction without changing the substances produced
define an enzyme
biological catalysts that control the rate of reaction
why do enzymes show great specificity?
due to their primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structures
will only catalyse a specific reaction or group of reactions
they are produced during protein synthesis
why does temperature and pH affect the shape of an enzyme?
they affect the intramolecular bonds within the protein that are responsible for the shape of the molecule
define an anabolic reaction
the reaction that builds up (synthesises) new molecules in a cell
define a catabolic reaction
reactions that break down substances within a cell
define metabolism
the sum of the anabolic and catabolic reactions within a cell
what is a metabolic chain (/metabolic pathway)?
a series of linked reactions in the metabolism of a cell
enzymes can also slow reactions down or completely stop them
what are intracellular enzymes?
enzymes that catalyse reactions within the cell
- e.g DNA polymerase and DNA ligase
what are extracellular enzymes?
enzymes that catalyse reactions outside the cell in which they were made
- e.g digestive enzymes and lysozyme
how are enzymes named?
- relatively short recommended name (usually the name of the substrate it works on with ‘-ase’ at the end with an addition of what it does - e.g creatine kinase)
- a longer systematic name (describes the type of reaction being catalysed)
- and a classification number
why are enzymes named?
to give you useful information about the role of the enzyme in the cell or the body