enzymes and metabolism

Question 1

What are Enzymes?

Answer 1

Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up reactions without being consumed. Most are globular proteins. ( Enzymes are proteins that act as biological catalysts)

Question 2

Enzyme Structure

Answer 2

Enzymes have an active site where substrates bind. The shape and chemical properties of the active site make enzymes specific for particular reactions (Lock-and-Key model)​

Question 3

Induced-Fit Model

Answer 3

When the substrate binds, the enzyme undergoes a slight conformational change to fit the substrate better, enhancing the reaction (like a hand fitting into a glove)​

Question 4

Enzyme Function in Metabolism

Answer 4

Enzymes lower the activation energy required for reactions. They are essential for both anabolism (building molecules) and catabolism (breaking down molecules)​

Question 5

Effects on Enzyme Activity

Answer 5

Temperature: Too high or too low can denature enzymes, changing their active site.

pH: Each enzyme has an optimal pH range. Extremes in pH can break ionic bonds, leading to denaturation.

Substrate Concentration: Increased substrate can speed up reactions, but only until all active sites are occupied

enzyme concentration

Question 6

Enzyme Immobilization

Answer 6

In industry, enzymes can be immobilized (attached to surfaces or trapped in gels) for better stability, faster reaction rates, and cost-efficiency​, it helps explain how it works.

in other words;
Immobilization is a technical process in which enzymes are fixed to or within solid supports, creating a heterogeneous immobilized enzyme system. Immobilized form of enzymes mimic their natural mode in living cells, where most of them are attached to cellular cytoskeleton, membrane, and organelle structures.

Question 7

Substrate

Answer 7

The substance that an enzyme acts on is called the substrate. The enzyme binds to the substrate at the active site to form an enzyme-substrate complex.

Question 8

Enzyme Specificity

Answer 8

Each enzyme is specific to one type of reaction because of its shape, which matches only certain substrates (like a key fits a specific lock).

Question 9

Metabolism

Answer 9

Metabolism refers to all the chemical reactions in the body that keep it alive. It has two main parts: anabolism and catabolism.

Question 10

What is Anabolism?

Answer 10

Anabolism builds complex molecules from simpler ones. It requires energy (e.g., protein synthesis, DNA replication

Question 11

anabolic Reactions

Answer 11

Anabolic reactions are endergonic, meaning they consume energy because the products store more energy than the reactants

Question 12

What is Catabolism?

Answer 12

Catabolism breaks down complex molecules into simpler ones, releasing energy (e.g., digestion, cellular respiration)

Question 13

Exergonic Reactions

Answer 13

Catabolic reactions are exergonic, meaning they release energy as the products have less stored energy than the reactants​

Question 14

Summary

Answer 14

Enzymes speed up reactions and are specific to substrates. They lower activation energy and work best under optimal conditions (pH, temperature).

Anabolism builds molecules and consumes energy, while catabolism breaks molecules down and releases energy.

Question 15

enzyme shape and structure in detail

Answer 15

Enzymes: Globular proteins with a specific 3D structure.

Active Site: Region where the substrate binds; specific to one substrate (Lock-and-Key model).

Substrate: The molecule that the enzyme acts on.

Induced-Fit Model: Enzyme changes shape slightly to better fit the substrate.

Enzyme-Substrate Complex: Forms when the substrate binds to the enzyme, lowering activation energy.

Denaturation: Changes in temperature or pH can alter the active site, stopping the enzyme from functioning.