B5 Enzymes Flashcards
What are enzymes?
Large proteins that catalyse reactions
What is the lock and key theory?
-Enzymes active site is a specific shape
-The enzyme (the lock) will only catalyse a specific reaction because the substrate (the key) fits in to the active site
-At the active site, enzymes break molecules down in to smaller ones
-When the products have been released, the enzymes active site can accept another substrate molecule
Why are enzymes described as specific?
Each enzymes can only catalyse a specific reaction
Function of amylase
To break starch down in to glucose
Where is amylase produced?
Salivary glands, pancreas, small intestine
Function of protease
To break down proteins in to amino acids
Where is protease produced?
Stomach, pancreas and small intestine
Function of lipase
To break down lipids into fatty acids and glycerol
Where is lipase produced?
Pancreas and small intestine
2 factors that affect the rate of activity of an enzyme
Temperature
pH
What does denatured mean?
Shape of an enzyme’s active site and changed so it can no longer bind with the substrate
Why do different digestive enzymes have different optimum pH’s?
Different parts of the digestive system have different pH’s
e.g Stomach is very acidic and the small intestine is almost neutral
