Enzymes Flashcards
How does protein get it’s shape ?
The sequence of amino acids
What are proteins made of?
Amino acids joined together
How do you know the function of a protein?
Depends on its shape
State what a protein is
Proteins have many functions
What are enzymes?
Enzymes are proteins which speed up chemical reactions in a cell
What is another way of describing an enzyme?
A biological catalyst as catalysts speed up a reaction but don’t get used up like an enzyme
What are antibodies?
Proteins that help to defend the body against disease
What are hormones ?
Hormones carry chemical messages from one part of the body to another in the blood
What structures are made of proteins,
Muscles, hair and nails
What is the name of the molecule that an enzyme acts upon?
Substrate
Describe a substrate
Fits into the active site of the enzyme. The shape of the active site is complimentary to the shape of the substrate
Can other substrates fit into the active site of one enzyme?
No, because an enzyme can only catalyse one reaction as each enzyme is specific
What is a synthesis reaction?
When enzymes build up large molecules from smaller molecules
Give an example of a synthesis reaction
Glucose(via the enzyme phosphorylase)= starch
What does degradation mean?
When enzymes break down large molecules into smaller molecules
