enzymes Flashcards
what is metabolism
the sum of all chemical reactions in the body
define catabolic
reactions where larger molecules break down into smaller molecules
define anabolic
the build up of smaller molecules to form large ones
define a catalyst
a substance that speeds up a reaction without being used up
define enzyme
an enzyme is a biological catalyst and is essential for life
what are enzymes made from
they are proteins (usually globular)
what is an active site
a specific shape that controls what substrate it acts upon. if this shape is altered, it can affect the efficiency of the enzyme
are enzymes reversible
they can be catabolic or anabolic with specific substrates
give an example of a catabolic enzyme
amylase breaks starch into maltose
give an example of an anabolic enzyme
DNA polymerase joins small pieces of DNA to form more complex molecules
give 2 factors that have an effect on enzyme activity
temperature, pH
define denaturation
this is when an enzyme has lost its shape and cannot carry out its function. e.g when exposed to high temperatures
what are immobilised enzymes
these are enzyme that are attached to an inert material. they’re used in bioprocessing
what are 2 advantages of using immobilised enzymes
large scale production is easier, cheaper and faster, the enzymes are more stable and can be reused
give an example of when immobilised enzymes are used
glucose is mode from the substrate sucrose using the enzyme sucrase.
name the ingredients necessary used to make immobilised enzymes
sucrase (in yeast), sodium alginate, calcium chloride,
define ADP
Adenosine DiPhosphate- it is a low energy molecule found in the cells of all organisms
what is ADP made of
the base adenine, a 5 carbon sugar called ribose and two phosphate groups
what is ATP and how is it made?
Adenosine TriPhosphate- is ADP + another phosphagte group. it is a high energy molecule
what is phosphorylation
it is the process of adding a phosphate group e.g ADP + P = ATP
what is NADP+
Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate- low energy molecule involved in photosynthesis. it can join with high energy electrons to form NADPH
define reduction
the addition of electrons to a molecule e.g when NADP+ combines with electrons to form NADPH
to investigate the effect of pH on enzyme activity
to investigate the effect of temperature on enzyme activity
to prepare enzyme immobilisation and examine its applications
what are energy carriers?
molecules that can trap and transfer energy in the form of high energy electrons e.g ATP, ADP, NAD+, NADP+
