Enzymes Flashcards
When do enzymes work the best?
At optimum pH and optimum temperature
How can enzyme activity be changed?
By altering pH and temperature
What happens when the temperature is above the optimum temp?
It denatures the enzyme
What happens if the temperature is below the optimum temp
The enzyme can be inactive
What happens if the pH is above the optimum
It will denature the enzyme and if below it can be inactive
Enzymes are biological catalysts. What does this mean?
They can speed up chemical reactions and break down or build up molecules. Enzymes do not take part in the reactions they catalyse
What is a substrate
A chemical that enzymes act upon
Each Enzyme acts on a specific substrate. What does this mean
They are specialised for certain substrates. E.g amylase always acts on starch and it could never act on a protein or fat molecules
Explain how enzymes fit into substrates
They fit into the active site of the substrate. E.g lock and key
What are the types of digestive enzymes
Charbohydrases
Proteases
Lipases
Starch reaction:
Starch digested by amylase –> maltose
Amylase- salivary or pancreatic
Reaction for maltose
Maltose digested by maltase –> glucose
Reaction for protein
Protein digested by proteases –> amino acids
Proteases e.g pepsin
Reaction for lipids
Lipids digested by Lipases –> fatty acids & glycerol
Reaction for hydrogen peroxide
H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide) digested by catalase –> water + oxygen