Enzymes Flashcards
What are enzymes
Biological catalysts
What type of molecule are proteins
Proteins
What is the part of an enzyme a substrate binds to
Specific active site
What caused enzymes to be highly specific
It’s tertiary structure (determined by primary structure)
What it’s activation energy
Amount of energy needed to be supplied to chemicals before reaction starts
What are 2 ways a enzyme can lower activation energy
- If 2 substrates need to be joined enzyme can hold close together, reducing repulsion
- If breakdown reaction puts strain on bonds in substrate so breaks easier
Describe induced fit theory
Substrate makes active site change shape
Why can enzymes only catalyse one type of reaction
Only one complementary substrate will fit active site
What might cause the active site to alter in shape
Change in pH or Temp
What does increasing the enzyme conc increase rate of reaction
More enzyme molecules means more active sites making it more likely substrate molecule will collide to form enzyme-substrate complex
At what point will enzyme conc have no effect
If substrate is limited an increase in enzyme will have no further effect. Substrate conc is limiting factor
At what point will substrate conc have no effect
Until saturation point: so many substrates all enzyme active sites are full
Why does the rate of reaction decrease over time
Substrate conc decreases, this is why initial rate of reaction is highest
