Enzymes

Question 1

Describe a catalyst

Answer 1

A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction and is not changed by the reaction

Question 2

Describe enzymes

Answer 2

Proteins that are involved in all metabolic reactions, where they function as biological catalysts

Question 3

Describe why enzymes are important in all living organisms

Answer 3

It is important in all living organisms regarding the reaction rate necessary to sustain life

Question 4

What is the effect of temperature on Enzymes

Answer 4

Enzymes have an optimum temperature

When temperature increases, molecules move faster, more effectively, frequent collisions.

Having more kinetic energy makes them more likely to bind to active sites.

If the temperature is too high, enzyme molecules vibrate too vigorously; the enzyme is denatured, losing its shape and no longer binding with a substrate.

When the temperature is too low, there is not enough kinetic energy for the reaction, so it reacts too slowly.

Question 5

What is the effect of pH on Enzymes

Answer 5

Enzymes are sensitive to pH.

Some enzymes work best in an acid, and others in an alkaline.

Enzymes work best at their optimum pH.
If the pH changes, the hydrogen bond is broken, denatures the enzyme, making it no longer fit with the substrate’s active site; therefore, no reaction occurs.

Pepsin in acidic conditions, Amylase in neutral conditions and trypsin in alkalinity conditions.