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enzymes
Biology
What are enzymes and what do
they do?
Enzymes are-
Protein molecules (made up of amino acids)
Biological catalysts (Increase the speed of
chemical reactions)
Specific (Each one catalyses one particular
reaction)
Reusable (Can be used again and again)
Affected by temperature and pH.
Found in animals, plants and microorganisms.
2 main types of enzymes
Catabolic enzymes which (break down) large
molecules into smaller molecules
e.g. digestion of starch by the enzyme amylase
into glucose.
Anabolic enzymes which (build up) small
molecules to form larger molecules
e.g. production of glucose during
photosynthesis from carbon dioxide, water and
light.
Enzymes and activation energy
Chemical reactions take place when
particles collide with enough energy.
The minimum amount of energy required
is called the activation energy.
Enzymes lower the amount of activation
energy required, so the reaction can
proceed at a greater rate.
Structure of an enzyme
molecule
Enzymes are
proteins made up on
long chains of amino
Active
acids. Site
These long chains
fold to produce a
special shape which
is vital for the
enzyme‘s function.
How enzymes work
Step-by-step
Shape of the enzyme’s active site is
complimentary to the shape of one particular
substrate.
The two bind together to form an enzyme-
substrate complex.
The reaction between them take place rapidly.
The products are released from the enzyme’s
active site.
Complete Qu 1-8 on your worksheet.
Factors affecting enzyme action
- Temperature
Enzymes work faster
as the temperature
increases up to 40oC,
but are eventually
denatured at about
60oC.
This is because the
shape of the active
site is lost.
Factors affecting enzyme action
– pH
Each enzyme works best at a particular pH. This is known as the
optimum pH.
Extremes of pH will cause the active site to denature.