Chapter V - Enzymes

A protein which functions as a biological catalyst

Speeds up the rate of reaction without being used in the process

Activation energy
We must put in energy over a certain threshold to begin a chemical reaction

Enzymes lower the activation energy so reactions are more efficient

Enzyme structure Enzyme function

The active site of an substrate binds to the enzyme
The active site must be complementary to the substrate
Very specific
They work like a ‘lock and key’
The enzyme and substrate form a enzyme-substrate
complex (temporary)
Substrates and enzymes randomly move due to energy,
causing vibrations
The substrate must collide into the active site for the
reaction to take place

Temperature and enzymes pH and enzymes

There is an optimum temperature There is an optimum pH for each enzyme

Enough kinetic energy for maximum collisions + or -pH

This may be different depending on the organism Any change in pH results in the active site being
deformed
Colder:
No longer complementary
Less kinetic energy for movement
Although there is a reversible area
Fewer successful collisions

Hotter:

Too much kinetic energy, enzyme loses its shape so

active site no longer complementary to substrate

No successful collisions

They are denatured