SB1g - Enzyme Action Flashcards
What is a protein?
A protein is a large 3D molecule formed from a chain of amino acids
How is the 3D shape of a protein caused?
By the folding of the chain which depends on the sequence of amino acids
What is the active site?
Where the substrate if the enzyme fits at the start of a reaction
Why can each enzyme only work on a specific substrate?
Different substrates have different 3D shapes, and each active site on a different enzyme is different
What does the lock and key model show?
How the enzyme and substrate fit together
Why doesn’t amylase break down proteins?
Because the enzyme active site doesn’t fit the substrate into it
How does an enzyme catalyse a substrate?
By the active site holding the substrate molecules tightly so the bonds between them are more easily broken and formed
What can change how a protein folds up?
Changes in pH or temperature
What does it mean if an enzyme is denatured?
When the shape of the active site has changed too much and the enzyme no longer catalyses the reaction
Why is it important our body temperature is constant?
As a change could cause enzymes to become denatured
