Enzymes Flashcards
What is metabolism
The sum of all chemical reactions in an organism
What are the sources of energy
solar energy
cellular energy
What is a catalyst
A substance that speeds up a reaction without itself being used up in the reaction
What is an enzyme
Enzymes are proteins that speed up a reaction without being used up - biological catalyst
What are proteins
a sequence of amino acids
What type of protein is an enzyme
Globular protein
folded , complex 3 dimensional shape
What is a substrate
The substance in which the enzyme reacts
What is a Product
The substance the enzyme forms
How is the function of an enzyme determined
By the sequence and shape
fits a specific substrate active site
reacts only with the substance of the shape that matches the enzyme
How are enzymes named
by adding -ase onto the end of the substrate
What type of reactions occurs with enzymes
A reversible reaction
- enzymes can be anabolic or catabolic
What is the role of catabolic enzymes
Amylase converts starch into maltose
Amylase is produced in salivary glands and pancreas
Seeds release amylase when germinating
What is the role of anabolic enzymes
DNA polymerase forms and repairs DNA
Enzymes that control photosynthesis
DNA Ligase joins 2 pieces of DNA together
What Factors effect enzymes
Temperature
pH
What is a denatured enzyme
An enzyme that has lost it’s shape and can no longer carry out its function
When do enzymes work best
Under certain ideal conditions (optimum)
What is the optimum pH for enzymes
7
work best 6-8
What enzymes does not have an optimum pH of 7
Pepsin
Optimum pH of 2
Works in the stomach
What happens to enzymes outside of a pH of 6-8
Outside this range the activity of enzymes falls rapidly
The enzymes loses its shape and becomes denatured
What is the ideal temperature for enzymes in humans
37°C
What is the ideal temperature for enzymes in plants
20-30°C
What happens to enzymes in temperatures outside the ideal range
At 0°C the contents of the cells freezes and as the temperature increases the rate pf reaction increases
Above ideal temps, enzymes lose their 3D shape and eventually become denatured ( >50°C)
What is bioprocessing
The use of enzyme-controlled reactions to produce a product
Eg. Alcohol , Vaccines , Antibiotics
What is a bioreactor
A vessel where biological reactions take place
What are immobilised enzymes
Enzymes that are attached or fixed to each other or to an inert material
