Test #3: Enzymes

Enzymes - large, complex proteins (polypeptides)

* Another name for enzymes is biological catalysts
● Speed up chemical reactions
● Can be reused
● Enzyme Specificity - 1 type of enzyme catalyzes 1 type of specific substrate
● Name of enzyme usually ends in -ase
● In a chemical equation, the enzyme is written over the arrow (yields).
● Helps with build up and break down reactions

Catabolism (catabolic) - break down Anabolism (anabolic) - build up

Activation Energy - the energy required to start a reaction (enzymes lower this)

Reactant = substrate

Cofactors (minerals): Coenzymes (vitamins):

● Inorganic molecules ● Organic molecules
● Needed for proper functioning ● Needed for proper functioning
● Exs. Zinc, Potassium ● Exs. B₂, B₁₂

2 theoretical models:
1)

2)
** This model is more accurate

Allosteric Site
● It’s another site on an enzyme
● On-off switch
● Activators → ON
● Inhibitors → OFF

Denaturation - change in shape due to bond breakage which alters the shape of the
active site; renders it ineffective
● Can be caused by going outside optimal levels of activity (temperature & pH)

Factors that affect Enzyme Activity

1. Temperature
2. pH
3. Enzyme Concentration
4. Substrate Concentration

1) Temperature

● Enzymes function best @ an optimal temperature

● > Temperature → more collisions → more products
● If the temperature is too high, denaturation occurs

2) pH

● Enzymes function best @ an optimal pH

 ● Change in pH = change in shape of the enzyme

Determining pH:
1. Litmus Paper
2. pH Paper

3) Enzyme Concentration

● Amount of enzymes increases, # of

collisions increases
● Continues until substrates are saturated

Enzym
e

4) Substrate Concentration

● Amount of substrates increases, # of

collisions increases
● Continues until enzymes are saturated

Exergonic Reactions: Endergonic Reactions:

- Energy releasing (exothermic) - Energy absorbing (endothermic)
- Catabolic - Anabolic
- Spontaneous - Non-spontaneous

* Go over HW #1- 4, NOTES *