B2 - Enzymes Flashcards
What is an Enzyme?
A biological molecule that speeds up a reaction
Where does the information for the job of an Enzyme come from?
The DNA
What is another word for an Enzyme other than biological molecule?
Biological Catalyst
Biological - Relating to a living organism
Catalyst - Speed up a reaction
What is a substrate?
The substance from which an enzyme acts upon (the ‘key’ that slots into the active site)
What is the active site?
The region on an enzyme that binds to a protein or other substance (substrate) during a reaction
What is the end result given from an Enzyme binding with its substrate?
The product
What requirements must be in accordance in order for the enzyme to work correctly?
The substrate must be ‘complimentary’ to the Enzyme in order for the process to work
What happens to an Enzyme when the temperature is risen above its ‘optimum’ temperature?
It becomes denatured
What does denatured mean?
The shape of the active site has differentiated, thus, resulting in the substrate no longer being able to fit
What are the 5 main factors/conditions that contribute towards the rate of an enzyme reaction?
- The speed at which the substance is used up
- The speed at which the product is formed
- The temperature (the higher the faster the reaction, particles are forced to move and collide)
- The PH (Enzymes work best within a narrow PH range (In humans, most enzymes have an optimum PH between 6 and 8))
Name two enzymes that are produced in the digestion of food…
Pepsin - Produced in the stomach (acid environment which is its optimum PH)
Trypsin - Produced in the small intestine (neutral environment which is its optimum PH (7))
