Enzymes Flashcards
What are enzymes?
enzymes are a biological catalysts which speed up chemical reactions in living organisms
What are the properties of enzymes?
are all large proteins
space within the protein molecule called the active site
works best at a specific temperature and ph called the optimum
What are enzymes required for?
most of the chemical reactions that occur in organisms, these reactions occur in the breakdown of chemical molecules which we see in the digestive system
What do enzymes break down?
proteins, carbohydrates and lipids
What is a substrate?
a substance on which enzymes act
What do the substrates do?
fits into the active site and once bound to the active site, the chemical reaction takes place
What is the lock and key theory used to describe?
the way in which enzymes work
What is an active shape the perfect match for?
the shape of the substrate molecule
Factors affecting enzyme action
temperature
PH
What is it called when the active site temporarily changes?
denatured and the enzyme will no longer work
