C4 - Enzymes Flashcards
What is anabolism?
Reactions of the metabolism that construct molecules from smaller units, require hydrolysis of ATP
What are enzymes?
Biological catalysts that interact substrate molecules to facilitate chemical reactions
Globular proteins
What is catabolism?
Reactions of the metabolism that break molecules down into smaller units, release energy
What is metabolism?
All the reactions and reaction pathways happening in an organism
What factors affect chemical reactions?
Temperature
pH
Pressure
What is Vmax
Maximum initial velocity or rate of an enzyme catalysed reaction
What needs to happen in order for a collision to be successful?
Molecules need to collide in the right orientation
Sufficient activation energy
What do high temperatures and pressures do to the rate of reaction?
Increase speed and inc collisions so increase rate of reaction
What is meant by the ‘specificity’ of an enzyme’?
Each enzyme catalyses one biochemical reaction
What is activation energy?
Energy required to initiate a reaction
What are the 2 hypotheses for how enzymes reduce the activation energy required for a biochemical reaction?
Lock and key hypothesis
Induced-fit hypothesis
What is an active site?
Area of an enzyme with a shape complimentary to a specific substrate, allowing enzyme to bind with specifity
What is a substrate
Substance used/acted on by another process/substance
Explain the lock and key hypothesis
-Area within tertiary structure of the enzyme has a shape complimentary to the shape of a specific substrate molecule (active site)
-Only specific substrate will bind to the active site of an enzyme
-When substrate is bound to active site, enzyme-substrate complex is formed
-Substrates react to from product in enzyme-substrate complex
-Products are released leaving enzyme unchanged
Substrate held so correct atom-groups are close enough to react
R groups in active site of enzyme form temporary bonds with substrate, which put strain on substrate molecule
What is an enzyme substrate complex?
Complex formed when a substrate is bound to the active site of an enzyme
Explain the induced fit hypothesis
Suggest active site of enzyme changes shape when substrate enters
-Initial interaction between enzyme and substrate is relatively weak
-Weak interactions rapidly induce change in enzyme’s tertiary structure, that strengthen binding, putting strain on substrate molecule
-Can weaken bond in substrate, lowering activation energy
What are intracellular enzymes?
Enzymes that work within cells
Give an example of an intracellular enzyme and its function
Catalase
Breaks down toxic hydrogen peroxide into oxygen and water quickly
What are extracellular enzymes?
Enzymes that work outside of the cell that made them
How do single-celled organisms use extracellular enzymes?
Release enzymes into their immediate environment to break down large molecules which are then absorbed by cells
What roles do enzymes play in the digestion of starch
1) Starch polymers broken down into maltose by amylase (mouth and small intestine)
2) Maltose broken down into glucose by maltase (small intestine)
Glucose is small enough to be absorbed by cells and into bloodstream