Lesson Objectives

● Explain what enzymes are.

● Describe how enzymes work.
● Justify why they are important in cells.

Essential question

Why do we need enzymes?

 What’s the missing link?
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Second level
Third level
Fourth level
What is the link between
Fifth leveldigestion, photosynthesis, bread, wine and washing powder?

They all depend on enzymes.

What are enzymes & why do we need them?
Enzymes are protein molecules in cells which
work as biological catalysts.

Biological Catalysts (enzymes) speed up

chemical reactions in the body, but do not get
used up in the process, therefore can be used
over and over again.

With an enzyme, chemical reactions go much

faster than they would without the enzyme

They are vital for life and serve a wide range of

important functions in the body, such as aiding
in digestion and metabolism.
DIGESTIVE ENZYMES (all catabolic)
 How do enzymes work? Enzymes work by binding to reactant molecules and
holding them in such a way that the chemical bond-
breaking and bond-forming processes take place more
An enzyme works on the substrate, forming readily.

products.
An enzyme’s active site and its substrate are
similarin shape.

An enzyme will only work on one substrate - it is

substrate specific.

This theory is known as the ‘lock and key

model’. It explains why each enzyme will only
work on one substrate.

Enzymes can work in either catabolic or

anabolic reactions For example, the active site of the enzyme amylase
will only react to starch and will therefore only break
down starch, not protein or fat
 Plenary check and tasks
Watch 4 min video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNX9UQ08f
Z4

COPY DOWN THE DIAGRAM AND THE

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1) Identify the missing blanks in the diagram

on the right
2) Why do we need enzymes?
3) Give 2 examples of digestive enzymes and
their substrate
4) What are the two types of reactions that
enzymes work?

TASK; Read pages 28-38 in your book. Write

out the questions 1-4 and answers pages 38-39