Enzymes Flashcards
(104 cards)
Define “enzymes”
Protein catalysts of biologic origin which enhance the rates of biochemical reactions at a rate as to be compatible with life
What are the 5 general properties of enzymes?
- Not altered or consumed during the reaction
- Only small amounts of enzyme are required
- Enzymes accelerate the speed at which a chemical reaction reaches equilibrium, but does not alter the equilibrium constant
- Each enzyme is highly specific for a given reaction; they act on only one substrate
- Enzymes act by lowering activation energy
Occurs when the 3D structure begins to uncoil
Denaturation
High or low (blank) causes denaturation in enzymes
Temperature and pH
What is a cofactor?
Non-protein compounds required by some enzymes to make them active
What is an inorganic cofactor?
Activator
What is an organic cofactor?
Coenzyme
Complete cofactor: enzyme complex
Holoenzyme
What is a bound cofactor called?
Prosthetic group
The protein portion of the enzyme is the ____
Apoenzyme
A unique sequence and orientation of amino acids to form a pocket or groove that provides for the enzyme’s specificity for only a unique substrate
Active site
A region other than the active site where a separate compound reacts, altering the shape of the active site, altering its fit w/ the substrate; is used to regulate enzyme activity
Allosteric site
Different physical forms of an enzyme that all catalyze the same reaction
Isoenzymes
The quantity of an enzyme that will catalyze the reaction of one micromole of substrate per minute under defined conditions
International unit
Amount of enzyme catalyzed w/ a reaction rate of one mole per second
Katal
The rate of enzymatic activity increases as the concentration of substrate increased until the maximum velocity of the reaction is achieved. This max is called the _____?
Vmax
Half of the Vmax
Km
List examples of activators (inorganic cofactors) and coenzymes (organic cofactors)
Inorganic: Zn2+, Fe2+, Cu2+, Mg2+, Mn2+
Organic: NAD+, NADH, NADP+, NADPH, pyrixodal-5-phosphate
Why is enzyme activity, rather than ezyme concentration, measured in the lab?
The amount of enzyme is so small, that it’s difficult to devise assays sensitive enough. Instead, the rate of product formed or amount of substrate consumed during reaction is measured. The more enzyme present, the faster the reaction proceeds.
Initial period when enzyme and substrate are first mixed, but no product is formed yet, so there is no detectable change in absorbance
Phases of an enzymatic reaction:
lag phase
Rate of product formed is linear w/ time, so reaction follows Beer’s Law
Phases of an enzymatic reaction:
log (linear) phase
No change in absorbance b/c there is no substrate left to be converted to product. Rate of reaction is dependent on substrate concentration not enzyme concentration.
Phases of enzymatic reaction:
Substrate depletion phase
Why should enzyme measurements be made during the log phase?
It corresponds to zero order kinetics! It follows Beers Law so it is an accurate measurement
For a typical enzyme measurement curve, how are the axis labeled?
X: time (seconds)
Y: change in absorbance