enzymes Flashcards
what is an enzyme
a biological catalyst that speeds up the rate of reaction without being used up itself
lock & key enzyme method:
- the substrate collides with the active site and forms enzyme substrate complex
- the enzyme catalyses the substrate
- products are released from the active site
- enzyme remains unchanged so can be reused
four factors that affect the activity rate of enzymes:
- temperature
- pH
- substrate concentration
- enzyme concentration
what happens as enzymes and substrates are heated?
- rate of reaction increases
- molecules have more kinetic energy, so move faster
- more collisions
what happens when enzymes are heated past their optimum temp?
they denature
- heat causes the amino acids in the enzyme to unfold so it changes its structure
- the substrate molecules can no longer fit in the active site
optimum pH in the stomach
pH2
optimum pH in the small intestine
pH7
what happens if the enzyme/substrate concentration becomes too high
will become saturated so ROR will plateau
how does the pH affect the enzyme either side of the optimum
it changes the shape of the active site, so it denatures
method to investigate effect of pH on the activity on enzymes
1) add 2cm^3 of different pH buffers (7, 8, 9, or 10) to different test tubes
2) add 2cm^3 of protease enzyme to each test tube
3) staple 1cm x 1cm square of photographic film onto wooden splints
4) place one splint into each of the test tubes and start a stopwatch (it should take 10 - 15 mins)
5) move the film
6) measure how long it takes for the film to become transparent
results of the effect of pH on enzymes practical
- the pH of buffer and protease solution increases, the time taken for photographic film to appear clear increases