Enzymes Flashcards
(6 cards)
What are enzymes and what is its function?
Enzymes are proteins that act as biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in living things, without being changed or used up in the reaction.
What are catalysts?
A substance or chemical that speeds up chemical reactions or increases the rate of reaction without being changed
How do enzymes work and how do they speed up reactions?
By helping to lower the activation energy needed to start a reaction. Each enzyme molecule has a special place called the active site where another molecule called the substrate fits in.
Substrate fits into an enzyme just like a key which fits into a lock. You’ve got to have the correct key for a lock and the right substrate for an enzyme. If the substrate doesn’t fit, the enzyme won’t catalyse the reaction.
What is a substrate?
A substrate is a molecule or a substance that an enzyme reacts with. The enzyme’s active site, or the location where weak bonds between the two molecules can form, is loaded with a substrate.
What is the temperature called that is high for enzymes?
Optimum temperature (37 degrees Celsius) as the temperature is increased above the optimum temperature enzyme activity decreases.
How does the structure or shape of an enzyme relate to its function in catalysing reactions?
The shape of an enzyme’s active site is complementary to the shape of its specific substrate or substrates. This means they are the correct shape to fit together. (Remember the lock and key model of enzyme activity)
