Digestive System- Enzymes Flashcards
What are enzymes ?
Biological catalysts and large proteins.
What is a catalyst?
A substance that speeds up the rate of chemical reactions.
How do they catalyse a specific reaction?
Due to the shape and size of the active site.
How are they denatured?
High temperature and extremes of pH due to changes in the shape of the active site.
They have an optimum pH and temperature, which is diferent for all enzymes.
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What do enzymes do?
They break down large food molecules into smaller ones so that they can be absorbed into the body.
Why do enzymes not work at high temperatures?
As temperature increases, kinetic energy increases and collisions occur more frequently. As temperature increases past 37*C, bonds break, active sites change shape, substrates can’t fit and enzymes denature.
How does the lock and key method work?
Why do enzymes not work at extreme pHs?
It can make and break intermolecular bonds, changing the shape of the enzyme and, therefore, its effectiveness.
