Enzymes

Enzymes are globular proteins that act as biological catalysts. The main
properties of enzymes are:

Proteins have specific shapes, depending upon which amino acids are
linked together and in what order. The way an enzyme is shaped presents
an ACTIVE SITE, which is sometimes called active cleft.

An enzyme and subtrates together are known as the ENZYME-
SUBSTRATE COMPLEX. Without the enzyme, the substrates would
probably not even collide together and there would be no reaction at all.

The presence of the subtratees changes the shape of an enzyme, so that
they can fit into a newly formed active site. This proces is called the
INDUCED FIT model.

The PROUCT of the reaction is when once the subtrates have reacted
tohather, they no longer fit in the active site of the enzyme and they are
realesed.

Some reactions bring substrates together and make a complex product.
They are known as SYNTHESIS reactions. Other reactions bring complex
into the active site and break it down into two or more products. These
are called DEGRADATION reactions.
o They generally work very rapidly.
o They are not destroyed by the
reactions, which they catalyse and
can therefore be recycled.
o They can work in either direction-
ie they can catalyse a reaction
from reactants to products and
back again.

o They are inactivated (denatures)
by high temperatures.
o They are sensitive to pH an
usually work best in an optimal
temperature range.
o They are specific-to-specific
reactions.