Enzymes

Question 1

How is the substrate held in place for enzymes?

Answer 1

• Intermolecular Forces

Question 2

How are enzymes similar to inorganic catalysts?

Answer 2

• Only needed in small amounts
• Are not used up or changed
• Do not alter reaction’s equilibrium position
• Provide alternate reaction pathway

Question 3

Describe what happens in Denaturation

Answer 3

• Intermolecular forces in tertiary structure are broken
• Hydrogen bonding in secondary structure is broken
• i.e. affects secondary and tertiary

Question 4

What does a temperature beyond optimum do to the enzyme molecularly?

Answer 4

• Increase in Ek disrupts bonding between R groups
• Increase in Ek breaks some intermolecular forces (e.g. hydrogen bonds) which are responsible for 3D shape.
• Means active site changes shape, meaning reaction rate decrease

Question 5

What does a pH above or below optimum do to the enzyme molecularly?

Answer 5

• Affects acidic/basic side chains
• Changes interactions between bonds, causing loss of some tertiary structure
• Extreme changes can cause denaturation

Question 6

Basic function of enzymes

Answer 6

• Decrease activation energy
• Increase rate of reaction
• Do work on substrate to convert it to products

Question 7

What structural level of enzymes are altered during enzyme-catalysed reaction?

Answer 7

• Tertiary structure only