Enzymes

Question 1

what is a catalyst?

Answer 1

A catalyst is a substance which increases the speed of a reaction without being changed or used up in the reaction

Question 2

what are enzymes?

Answer 2

A biological catalyst made up of proteins (chains of amino acids) into unique shapes to perform a particular function

Question 3

how does an enzyme work?

Answer 3

Every enzyme has a unique shape that fits onto the substance involved in a reaction, which can only catalyse one reaction, this is because a substance has to fit its special shape so that it only performs that one particular function

Question 4

how does the pH affect an enzyme?

Answer 4

Most enzymes work best at a pH of 7 whereas others may work best in an acidic solution but not very often

Question 5

how does the temperature affect an enzyme?

Answer 5

If the temperature is too low the enzyme works at a slow pace whereas if it goes above body temp 37’ they become denatured and will not work