CB1 Key Concepts - Enzymes Flashcards
(27 cards)
What does the term ‘biological catalyst’ mean?
A catalyst is something that speeds up a reaction, and biological refers to something natural.
A biological catalyst is something natural that speeds up a reaction.
What are the three main digestive enzymes?
- Protease
- Amylase
- Lipase
What does protease do?
Breaks down proteins into amino acids
What does Lipase do?
Breaks down fats (lipids) into fatty acids and glycerol
What does amylase do?
Breaks down starch into simple sugars
Active Site
The part of an enzyme where reactions take place.
Binds to the substrate.
Has a particular shape.
Catalyst
Speeds up a chemical reaction
Enzyme
A biological catalyst
Substrate
Binds to the enzyme’s active site
What reactions do enzymes catalyse?
The breakdown and synthesis of molecules
What is the substance that binds to the enzyme called?
The substrate
‘Enzymes are specific’ - what does that mean?
The enzyme has a definite shape and the substrate has a definite complimentary shape
Product
The substance formed from the substrate at the end of a chemical reaction with an enzyme
What is it called when an enzyme and substrate(s) collide at the active site?
A successful collision
Where is amylase produced?
The salivary glands, and the pancreas
Where is protease produced?
The stomach, the pancreas, and the small intestine
Where is lipase produced?
The pancreas, and the small intestine
Why are enzymes important in digestion?
They break down large food molecules (that otherwise couldn’t be absorbed into the bloodstream) into smaller nutrient molecules.
These are then passed into the bloodstream and are delivered to cells in the body.
What happens to the rate of reaction when temperature increases?
It increases, because the particles have more energy and move faster, so there are more successful collisions. This means more products are made.
Optimum Temperature
The temperature at which the enzyme is working fastest
Optimum pH
The pH at which the rate of reaction is the fastest it can be
What happens if the temperature/pH increases significantly above the optimum?
The shape of the enzyme is irreversible changes, or denatured.
This means the active site has changed shape so the substrate molecule no longer fits.
Which biological molecule are enzymes made from?
Proteins
What three things can affect the rate of reaction?
- Temperature
- pH
- Substrate concentration
