What are enzymes?

Enzymes are proteins that function as biological catalysts. So, they are molecules that speed up a
chemical reaction without being changed by the reaction.

Lock and key hypothesis

Enzymes are folded into complex 3D shapes that allow smaller molecules to fit into
them. The place where these molecules fit is called the active site.

The breakdown of a substrate molecule by an enzyme. Other enzymes join smaller substrate
molecules together into larger ones.

Denaturing enzymes

If enzymes are exposed to extremes of pH or high temperatures the shape of their

active site may change.

If this happens then the substrate will no longer fit into the enzymes. This means the
key will no longer fit the lock. We say that the enzyme has been denatured.

It is important you use 'denatured' and not 'killed' as enzymes have never been alive.

Diffusion is the movement of particles from a high to lower concentration. Osmosis is the
diffusion of water across a membrane. Active transport moves particles from low to higher
concentration.