Enzymes

Question 1

What is the lock and key model

Answer 1

only a specific substrate can bind to a specific enzyme due to the unique shape of the active site

Question 2

What is the induced fit model

Answer 2

as the substrate binds, the shape of the active site changes slightly to create a tighter fit and a more efficient chemical reaction

Question 3

Describe how an enzyme catalyses a reaction

Answer 3

as a substrate enters the active site, the enzyme provides a surface for the reaction to occur on and the breaking or formation of bond becomes easier

Question 4

factors affecting the activity of an enzyme

Answer 4

pH (too high or too low slows it down)
temperature (too high or too low slows it down)
concentration (higher concentration speeds up, there reaches a point in substrate concentration where the enzymes cannot keep up with demand and reaction rate plateaus)

Question 5

Describe how an enzyme denatures

Answer 5

As the pH of temperature strays too far off its optimal, this affects the chemical structure of the enzyme and can irreparably change the shape of the active site so it no longer fits the substrate deeming it unusable.

Question 6

How might the optimum temperature or pH of an enzyme change depending on where it is found

Answer 6

Enzymes tend to function best in their respective environments. This means that pepsin, an enzyme found in the stomach surrounded by acid has a very low optimum pH. Trypsin is found in the small intestine prefers a more neutral pH value as the intestine is not acidic