Enzymes Flashcards
Whats an enzyme?
An enzyme is a protein thats acts as a biological catalyst
Whats a catalyst?
A catalyst is a substance speeds up a reaction without itself being used up in the reaction
What is a substrate?
The substrate is a substance with which an enzyme reacts
What is a product?
The product is the substance the enzyme forms
What is the active site?
Where the enzyme bonds with the substrate
What is denaturation?
Denaturation is when the active site of an enzyme has lost its shape and can no longer bind to substrate
What is optimum temperature?
The temperature the enzyme works best at
What is the optimum temp for animal enzymes?
37C
What is the optimum temperature for plant enzymes?
25C
How does the induced fit model work?
- The active site of an enzyme binds with a substrate
- The active site changes shape to closely fit around substrate
- Forms an enzyme- substrate complex
- This breaks the bonds in the substrate forming the product
- The product leaves the active site and the enzyme remains unchanged.
What factors affect enzyme activity?
Temp
pH levels
What is the optimum pH for enzymes?
7
What is a bioreactor?
A vessel or container in which living cells or their products are used to make a product
What are immobilised enzymes?
Enzymes that are attached to each other or to an inert material
What are the 3 physical methods of immobilising enzymes?
1) Adsorption
2) Enclosed by a membrane
3) Trapped in a gel
