Enzymes Flashcards
What are enzymes?
They are proteins that speed up the rate of chemical reactions.
The speed up processes like digestion, respiration, photosynthesis and many more.
Where do enzymes work?
Enzymes work inside and outside of cells
For respiration they work outside
For digestion they will work inside
What are enzymes known as?
Biological catalysts
Is enzymes specific or not… Explain?
They are specific molecule. This means that they only catalyse to one reaction.
What is the molecule known as that interacts with the enzymes?
- Substrates
- They can only fit into one active site (enzyme)
- If the active site becomes denature, the substrate will no longer fit into that active site
Solve this:
Enzyme + substrate ——–> _______________
Product
It is the final thing you get when the two molecule finished interactions with each other.
You should be able to solve this equation as well:
Amalayse + Starch --------> \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
Maltose x2
What can metabolism do in reaction
They can:
- build large molecules from lots of smaller molecule
- break down large molecules into smaller molecules
- change one molecule into another like glucose into fructose
When does denaturing happen?
At high temperatures
Or
Change in normal pH Range
What will happen to the enzyme when it has denatured?
The enzyme will no longer work
The damage caused will be irreversible
What happens to enzymes at very low temperatures?
At low temperatures, they enzymes rate of reaction/action is very slow. However the enzyme will not be denatured.
What is optimum temperature?
Optimum temperature is where the enzyme will work its best to break down molecules. The perfect temperature for the enzymes to work in.
