Enzymes Flashcards
What type of proteins are enzymes
Globular proteins
Enzyme definition
Protein molecule that acts as a biological catalyst and increases the rate of reactions inside an organism with a complex tertiary structure.
What is the active site of an enzyme
Part of the enzyme which binds to the substrate and catalyses the reaction.
Lock and key theory
Active site shape is complementary to shape of substrate. Substrate molecules form temporary bonds with AAs of active site (charged groups attract) to produce enzyme-substrate complex. Reaction complete-products released and enzyme unchanged. Enzyme only catalyse one specific reaction as active site only complementary with one specific substrate.
Induced fit theory
Substrate enters active site enzyme changes shape slightly to fit shape of substrate. Only specifically shaped substrate induces correct change in enzyme active site.
Activation energy
Minimum amount of energy required to break bonds and start the reaction and for products to be formed. The energy makes molecules unstable enough to react.
How do enzymes reduce activation energy
Reduce the stability of bonds in the reactants making it more reactive. Provide an alternative reaction pathway with lower AE.
Why are enzymes needed inside organisms
Without them reactions would be too slow, would need extremely high temperatures and pressures to reach activation energy which would kill body cells.
What is the metabolism of an organism
The sum of all the chemical reactions occurring within it.
Intracellular enzymes
Produced and function inside the cell
Extracellular enzymes
Secreted by cells and catalyse reactions outside cells
Example of intracellular enzyme
Catalase, converts hydrogen peroxide which is a harmful by product into water and oxygen
Example of extracellular enzyme
Amylase- extracellular as macromolecules being digested too big to enter cell, hydrolyses starch into simple sugars.
What is a catabolic reaction
When large substrate molecules are broken down into smaller molecules
What is an anabolic reaction
When smaller molecules are built up into bigger molecules