Enzymes

Enzymes are proteins

Enzymes are biological catalysts
They increase the rate of reactions
Eg photosynthesis, respiration, protein
synthesis

Each enzyme is specific to a substrate

Substrates are changed into products

The lock and key theory

Each enzyme has a
different shape
Within the shape is the
active site
Only one type of
substrate fits into the
active site (like a lock
and key)

The lock and key theory

The enzyme is the lock
The substrate is the key

The lock and key theory

Once the substrate is attached to the active

site it is turned into the 2 products

Denaturing enzymes
Enzymes can be denatured
If the shape of enzyme changes, the
substrate cannot fit into the active site
Two factors can cause enzymes to be
denatured

Conclusion
What TWO factors affect the rate of
enzyme reactions?
TEMPERATURE
pH

How? Temperature

As temperature increases, so does the rate of reaction. But only

up to a certain point as the enzyme becomes denatured at too
high temperatures.
At 40c the enzyme works at its optimum

How? pH

Different enzymes work best at different pH values. The

optimum pH value depends on the enzymes and where it
works. This enzymes optimum is pH8. enzymes will become
denatured at pH values too far from their optimum.
Enzymes in the stomach have an optimum pH of 2