Enzymes

Question 1

Define catalyst

Answer 1

A catalyst is a substance that speeds up a reaction, without itself being used up in the reaction

Question 2

What are enzymes?

Answer 2

Enzymes are catalysts made of protein

Question 3

What are enzymes also known as?

Answer 3

Biological (or organic) catalysts

Question 4

What are enzymes used to do and allow?

Answer 4

Enzymes are used to speed up chemical reactions and allow them to proceed at normal cell temperature.

Question 5

What are enzymes made up of?

Answer 5

Amino acids which are then folded into a three-dimensional shape

Question 6

Since an enzyme has a specific 3-d shape, what does this mean?

Answer 6

The 3-d shape of the enzyme means that it will fit neatly and react only with a substance of a shape that matches the enzyme.

Question 7

What happens when the shape of the enzyme is changed?

Answer 7

It will reduce the efficiency of the enzyme to speed up a reaction.

Question 8

What happens when the pH or temperature of a reaction is altered?

Answer 8

It will change the shape of enzymes which will affect the speed of the reaction

Question 9

Give an example of a typical enzyme reaction

Answer 9

starch (substrate) using amylase (enzyme) to form maltose (product)

Question 10

List three features of enzymes

Answer 10

1. Enzymes are made of protein
2. They work because they have the correct shape to fit the substrate.
3. Enzyme reactions are reversible. This means any enzyme can be anabolic or catabolic.

Question 11

How can enzyme reactions be anabolic and catabolic?

Answer 11

Enzyme reactions are reversible. An enzyme can cause a reaction to proceed in either direction.