SB1e - Enzymes and Nutrition Flashcards
1
Q
What is an enzymes?
A
it is a protein which speed up reactions by lowering the activation energy without being used up or changed themselves.
This means they can be reused again and again
* In short, enzymes are biological catalysts.
2
Q
Explain the lock and key hypothesis.
A
- Enzymes have a pocket called the active site
- Substrate molecules bind to it and are catalyzed
- In the lock and key hypothesis, the shape of the active site matches the shape of its substrate molecules - this makes enzymes highly specific.’
- Each type of enzyme can usually catalyse only one type of reaction
2
Q
What is denaturing and when does it occur?
A
Denaturing is altering the shape of the active site so that the substrate can no longer carry out its function
Enzymes denature when:
- Temperature above optimum
- pH values above and below their optimum pH
2
Q
Name the 4 enzymes.
A
Amylase
catalase
starch synthase
DNA polymerase