module 2 - 2.1.4 enzymes Flashcards
what are enzymes?
biological catalysts
how does the enzyme molecule bind to the active site?
collisions between enzyme and substrate
what happens to the product molecules?
diffuse away from the active site
what is the most important function of proteins?
catalysis
what happens in the absence of catalysis?
reactions in biological systems would happen far too slowly to provide products at a good pace for metabolising organisms
where do catalysts serve their function?
living organisms called enzymes
what type of proteins are enzymes?
globular proteins
what can enzymes increase the rate of reaction up by a factor of?
10^20 over uncatalysed reactions
in an enzyme-catalysed reaction, what does the enzyme bind to?
substrate to form a complex
what does the lock and key model propose?
the substrate binds to the active site which fits exactly
what are some characteristics of enzymes?
- they are proteins of high molecular weight
- they are biological catalysts
- sensitive to temperatures, pH and concentration
- generally specific in reactions they catalyse
what happens at the active site?
chemical reactions take place
what happens if the temperature is not controlled?
if temp is too low, chemical reactions happen and a slower rate, is temp is too high, it can cause the enzyme to denature and therefore not fit with the substrate
what does it mean when enzymes are of a ‘high molecular weight’?
contain lots of amino acids
what is the induced fit model?
model that takes into account the fact that proteins (enzymes) have some three-dimensional flexibility
what happens to the enzyme in the induced fit model?
binding of the substrate induced the enzyme to change shape and form an exact fit
according to the induced fit model, when can reactions take place?
after the induced fit has occurred
why are enzymes catalysts?
they lower the activation energy needed to drive a reaction
what do substrates need to overcome before they convert to products?
an energy barrier
what happens in relation to molecular collisions at low temperatures?
- molecules are constantly in motion and colliding with one another
- the speed of motion and number of collisions is affected by temperature (slower - less energy)
what happens in relation to molecular collisions at high temperatures?
- more enzyme-substrate complexes
- more product molecules are formed at higher temperatures
what temperature is the maximum rate of reaction reached?
between 37°C to 40°C
this is called the optimum temperature
what happens when the temperature increases beyond the optimum?
- the bonds that stabalise the enzyme’s secondary and tertiary structure are broken
- enzyme loses shape (denatures) and can no longer bind to the active site
why is the optimum temperature (37°C to 40°C) not true for all enzymes?
- some bacteria are extremophiles/ thermophiles that are thermostable and so can survive in high temperatures
- optimum temp is 80°C
what is an example of a thermophile/ extremophile?
bacteria that live in hot geysers
which bonds stay together when an enzyme has denatured?
the peptide bonds
what is Q10?
the reaction rates doubles for every 10°C rise in temperature
when does Q10 occur?
in the temperature range from 4°C to 40°C
what does Q10 equal when it doubles every 10°C?
Q10 = 2
what happens to the product when there is low substrate concentration?
low product concentration per unit time