Enzymes Flashcards
(29 cards)
What are protein molecules made up of?
Long chains of amino acids
What does the shape of a protein depend on?
Its function
Complete the sentence:
The long chains of amino acids that make up proteins are…
…folded to produce specific shapes
What can proteins be in the body?
- Structural components of tissues (such as muscle)
- Hormones
- Antibodies
- Catalysts
What are chemical reactions in cells controlled by?
Proteins called enzymes
What are enzymes?
Proteins which act as biological catalysts
They increase the rate of reaction without being used up themselves
What is the ‘active site’?
The site/part of an enzyme where reactants bind
The area for other molecules to fit into
What is a substrate?
The molecule or chemical on which an enzyme acts
What can happen to the substrate held in the active site?
It can either be connected to another molecule or broken down
What can enzymes do?
- Build large molecules from many smaller ones (e.g. building starch from glucose)
- Change one molecule into another (e.g. convert one type of sugar into another)
- Break down large molecules into many smaller ones (e.g. digestive enzymes)
Why do enzyme reactions take place faster when it is warmer?
At higher tempertatures the molecules move around more quickly.
This means they collide with each other more often and with more energy
What happens when an enzyme becomes denatured?
The active site to change shape
This means the enzyme doesn’t work properly any more
What can cause an enzyme to denature?
If the pH is too acidic/alkaline
If the temperature is too great
Do all enzymes require the same pH?
No!
Do all enzymes work inside body cells?
No!
Digestive enzymes are produced in glands + the lining of the gut. They then pass out of these cells and come into contact with food
What is digestion?
The breakdown of large, insoluble molecules itno smaller, soluble ones
Describe the function of amylase
- A carbohydrase
- Catalyses the digestion of starch into sugars
- This is done in the mouth and small intestine
- It is produced by the salvary glands, pancrease, and small intestine
Describe the function of protease
- Catalyses the breakdown of proteins into amino acids
- This occurs in the stomach and small intestine
- It is produced in the stomach, pancreas, and small intestine
Describe the function of lipase
- Calalyses the breakdown of lipids (fats + oils) to fatty acids and glycerol
- This occurs in the small intestine
- It is produced by the small intestine and pancreas
What is glycerol?
A building block of lipids
How is digestion sped up in the stomach?
- Enzymes in the stomach work (such as protease) best in acidic conditions
- Glands in the stomach wall produce hydrochloric acid to create very acidic conditions
How is digestion sped up in the small intestine?
- Amylase and lipase work in the small intestine
- They work best when the conditions are slightly alkaline
- The liver produces alkaline bile which is stored in the gall bladder.
- This is then squirted into the small intestine to neutralise the stomach acid and make conditions slightly alkaline
How do biological detergents use enzymes and how does this make them useful?
- Contain proteases and lipases that digest food stains
- Work at lower temperatures then ordinary washing powders
- This saves energy and money spent on electricity
- Can be used to digest blood, grass, and gravy stains (yummy)
How can protease be used in industry?
To pre-digest proteins in some baby foods
This makes it easier for babies to get the nutrients they need to grow when they are learning to eat solid food
