LC Enzymes Flashcards
What is a catalyst
Speeds up reactions without being involved themselves.
What is an enzyme
Biological catalysts made of protein, whey speed up a reaction without being used up themselves in the reaction
Describe the shape of enzymes
3D, complex and globular
What is the substrate
The substance that the enzyme acts on
What is the product/s
The substance/s that the enzyme forms
What is a catabolic reaction
Breaks a big molecule into smaller molecules and energy is released
Example of catabolic enzyme and reaction
Amylase, respiration/ digestion
What is an anabolic reaction
Converts small molecules into larger molecules and energy is needed
Example of anabolic enzyme and reaction
DNA polymerase, DNA production
What does substrate specific mean
Enzymes are substrate specific so only work on a particular substrate that fits its active site.
What Is the active site
The part of the enzyme that combines with the substrate
What is the induced fit theory
When the substrate enters the active site, it causes it to change shape slightly, the enzyme then fits more precisely around the substrate.
What are the steps of enzyme action
- The substrate combines with the active site of the enzyme, 2. The active site changes shape slightly to better fit the substrate, 3. The substrate and enzyme form an enzyme substrate complex, the bonds in the substrate are altered so that the substrate changes into the products, 4. The products leave the active site, active site returns to original shape.
Are enzyme reactions reversible or irreversible
Reversible
How are enzymes named
By adding the suffix ase to their substrate
What is denaturation
When an enzyme can no longer function permanently due to the active site changing shape, its irreversible
What are the factors that affect enzyme action
Temperature, pH, substrate concentration, enzyme concentration
WHat happens when temperatures exceed roughly 65 for enzymes
They denature
What temp do plant enzymes work best at
20-30
What pH do most enzymes work best at
Between 6-8
What is an exception to optimum pH
Pepsin in the stomach works best at 2
What are inhibitors
They attach to enzymes and destroy their shape, when this happens they are denatured
What are beneficial inhibitors
Insecticides affect enzymes in insects causing their death, antibiotics can affect enzymes in bacteria causing bacteria to die
What is bio-processing and example
The use of enzyme in controlled reactions to produce a product an example of is beer and antibiotics
What are immobilized enzymes
Enzymes that are trapped in a gel so they can be separated easily from the products and used repeatedly.
What is a bioreactor
The container into which the microorganisms or enzymes are added to the substrate to produce a product, it’s usually a steel vat.
What are three physical methods to immobilize enzymes
Adsorption: enzymes are attached to materials like glass beads, enclosed in a membrane, trapped in a gel usually sodium alginate.
What are two chemical methods to immobilize enzymes
Bonded to a support like glass beads chemically, bonded to each other chemically.
Advantages of immobilized enzymes
Enzymes are more stable, can be reused, easily recovered or separated so you can get a pure sample of product
Example and use of immobilized enzymes
Lactose to glucose and galactose by lactase. Glucose is used in sweeteners in energy drink industry
