C1.1 enzymes and metabolism Flashcards
Enzymes
Catalysts that facilitate reactions by interacting with substrates and other molecules.
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
Primary energy carrier in cells. Stores and releases energy during cellular activities.
Catalysts in cells
Enzymes are organic catalysts that accelerate cellular reactions, ensuring vital life functions proceed efficiently.
Define metabolism.
Metabolism encompasses all chemical reactions in an organism. These reactions can be independent or interconnected, controlled by specific enzymes. Reactants are substances involved, and products are what’s formed.
Define anabolic reactions.
Anabolic reactions build complex molecules from simpler ones, needing energy and releasing water. Examples: photosynthesis, protein synthesis.
Define catabolic reactions.
Catabolic reactions break down complex molecules into simpler ones, releasing energy via hydrolysis. Examples: digestion, respiration’s substrate oxidation.
Kinetic energy
Energy of motion, including movement of molecules within objects.
Potential energy
Stored energy not being used at a point in time.
Chemical energy
Potential energy available for release during a chemical reaction.
Thermal energy
Kinetic energy stored within objects, transferable as heat.
Adenosine diphosphate (ADP)
Similar to ATP but lacks one phosphate group. Results from ATP losing a phosphate.
ATP in macromolecule synthesis
Supplies energy required to synthesize macromolecules.
ATP in mechanical work
Supplies energy for muscle action, chromosome movement, and cilia/flagellum motion.
ATP in membrane transport
Provides energy for moving substances across the cell membrane (e.g., sodium-potassium pump).
Enzyme Structure
- Enzymes are complex globular proteins.
- They possess specific three-dimensional shapes.
- Active site: a region matching the substrate’s shape.
- Active site comprises a few crucial amino acids.
Denaturation
- Denaturation changes an enzyme’s structure.
- Factors causing denaturation: altered chemical bonds among amino acids.
- Denatured enzymes lose their catalytic abilities.
Lock-and-Key Model
- Emil Fischer’s 1890s proposal for enzyme-substrate interaction.
- Represents enzymes (lock) and substrates (key) with specific shapes.
- Suggested specificity in enzyme-substrate binding.
Induced-Fit Model
- Modification of Fischer’s lock-and-key model.
- Enzymes undergo shape changes upon substrate binding.
- Analogy: Hand (substrate) and glove (enzyme) interaction.
- Induced fit leads to destabilization of substrate bonds, facilitating reactions.
Activation Energy
- Energy needed to destabilize existing bonds in a substrate for a reaction to occur.
- Determines the speed of a reaction; larger activation energies lead to slower reactions.
- Enzymes lower the activation energy required for reactions.
Enzymes and Activation Energy
- Enzymes don’t provide energy for reactions; they lower the required activation energy.
- Enzymes function as catalysts and are not consumed in the reaction.
- Catalysts facilitate reactions by decreasing the energy barrier for the reaction to start.
Factors Affecting Reaction Rates
- Increasing energy of reacting molecules boosts collision rates.
- Lowering activation energy facilitates breaking specific chemical bonds.
Enzymes and Reaction Rates
- Enzymes lower activation energy, accelerating reactions.
- Most chemical reactions in organisms are hastened by enzymes.
Enzymes and Reaction Facilitation
- Enzymes don’t force reactions; they lower the energy needed for reactions to occur.
- They make reactions more likely but don’t cause reactions that wouldn’t happen otherwise.
Equilibrium in Reactions
- Reactions reach equilibrium between reactants and products.
- Enzymes, by lowering activation energy, don’t change this equilibrium state.
Reversible Reactions and Enzymes
- Some reversible reactions need different enzymes to lower activation energy in the reverse direction.
- Enzymes act independently in either direction of reversible reactions.
Active sites and movement are crucial for enzyme action. What must align for proper substrate-enzyme binding?
Active site and substrate based on shape
What is essential for substrates to react in enzyme action?
Movement and collisions with adequate energy
How does immobilization in membranes affect enzyme-substrate interaction?
Enhances efficient joining of substrate and active site