Biology

Enzymes
Learning Intentions
1. What are enzymes?
2. Describe the structure of enzymes
3. Types of enzyme reactions
4. Examples of enzymes
5. Effect of Temperature & pH on
enzymes
1. What are enzymes?

What are enzymes (short video clip)

1. Enzymes are found in all living cells.
2. Enzymes are made of protein.
3. Enzymes are Biological Catalysts
4. Enzymes speed up reactions
5. Enzymes are unchanged by the reaction
2. Structure of Enzymes

Enzyme active site

The Substrate is the chemical that the enzyme acts on

The Product is the end chemical produced
The active site of an enzyme is where the chemical reaction
occurs and is said to be “complementary” to the substrate.
The enzyme and the substrate shape match each other exactly
Enzymes are specific – as only one enzyme acts on only one substrate

Build a Play-doh Model

3.Types of Enzyme Reactions
Degradation Reaction (“breaking down”)

Catalase
Hydrogen Peroxide Oxygen + Water
Degradation Reaction - Practical

Synthesis Reaction (“building up”)

Synthesis Reaction - practical
Phosphorylase
Glucose-1-phosphate Starch
4. Examples of enzymes
Substrate Enzyme Product

Fats Lipase Fatty

Acids &
Glycerol
Protein Protease Amino
Acids
Starch Amylase Maltose
Amylase in action
5.Types of Enzyme Reactions

Enzyme animation
6. Effect of Temperature on Enzymes
Optimum Temperature

As temperature increases the

enzyme activity increases.

The temperature that the

enzymes works best at is called
it’s Optimum Temperature

If the temperature is too high,

the enzymes active site
changes shape.

When the enzymes active site

has changed shape, the enzyme
is said to be denatured, and it
will no longer work.
7. Effect of pH on Enzymes

Enzymes work best within a

range of pH depending on the
type of enzyme.

The pH that the

enzymes works best at is called
it’s Optimum pH

If the pH is too high,

the enzymes active site changes
shape (denatured)

What is the optimum pH of this

enzyme ?
8. Denatured Enzymes
Normal Enzyme

Active site fits substrate

specifically – like a lock
and key (they are
complementary to each
other)
Denatured Enzyme

Active site has changed

shape so it no longer fits
substrate specifically –
like a lock and key

Enzymes Summary Video clip

9 Enzymes & Industry
Enzymes in Fruit Juice
Enzymes help to get as much juice
as possible from the fruit.
Practical – Pectinase & Fruit Juice

Enzymes in Detergents
Enzymes help to breakdown
biological stains on clothes

Enzymes in Pharmaceutical Industries

Enzymes are used in medicine to treat
blood clots and tumours. Enzymes are
also used in testing kits e.g. testing for
sugar in urine
10) Enzymes & Biotechnology
Immobilisation
Immobilisation is a technique used to trap
enzymes or yeast cells so that they can be
reused in order to save money.

This means products can be continually made.

This process is also called Continuous Flow
Processing

Immobilised enzymes are used in the

production of lactose free milk for
people who are lactose intolerant

Immobilised enzymes are used in glucose

testing strips to measure glucose levels
in diabetics

Practical – Immobilisation