Internal Membranes and Enzymes

Question 1

Explain, using an example, how the arrangement of internal membranes can control biochemical processes.

Answer 1

In the mitochondria the membrane will fold to increase it’s surface area and the number of enzymes so that there is more availability for enzyme-controlled reactions.

Question 2

Describe the structure and role of the active site of an enzyme.

Answer 2

The active site of an enzyme is structured as a unique grove on an enzyme that shaped and sized to only fir certain molecules. These molecules then will bind to the active site where it can be combined with another molecule or broken into smaller molecules. (The molecules are called substrates)

Question 3

Explain how reaction rates of enzymes are affected by temperature, pH, the presence of inhibitors and concentration.

Answer 3

Temperature- Increases reaction rate however, if it becomes too hot the enzyme will denaturise
pH- Enzymes have an optimal pH range, if the pH is too extreme the enzyme will denaturise
Inhibitors- Bind to the active sites of enzymes making them unusable and decreasing reaction rate
Concentration- Increased concentration increases reaction rate.