Enzymes Flashcards
How do enzymes work?
Enzymes have an active site, which is where the substrate joins in to catalyse the reaction.
Do enzymes work with any substrate?
No, they have a high specificity for their substrate - only one joins together.
Why are enzymes used in reactions instead of increasing temperature?
Because raising temp. can also speed up unwanted reactions.
What happens to enzymes when the temperature becomes too high?
Some bonds holding the enzyme together break. This changes the shape of the active site so the substrate cannot fit.
The enzyme denatures.
What is the optimum temperature?
The temperature that enzymes work best at.
What happens to enzymes when the pH is too high or too low?
The pH interferes with the bonds holding the enzyme together. This changes the shape of the active site and denatures the enzyme.
What is the optimum pH?
The pH which enzymes work best at - usually pH 7.
How does the substrate concentration affect rate of reaction?
The higher the substrate concentration, the faster the reaction.
More likely for the enzyme to meet up and react with substrate molecule.
Why can’t you keep adding substrate molecules?
Because after a certain point, there are only so many substrate molecules that can join with the enzymes - all of the active sites are full.
