Biology Enzymes

• What are enzymes classified as?


  Biological catalysts
• How do enzymes affect chemical reactions?


  They speed up chemical reactions and remain unchanged by the reaction
• Where are enzymes made in living cells?


  In the ribosomes
• Why are enzymes important for cells?


  They ensure chemical reactions occur at a sufficient speed for life
• What are enzymes made of?


  Proteins
• What determines the structure and function of an enzyme?

  The sequence of amino acids in the protein chain
• What does it mean for an enzyme to be specific?


  It only works on one substrate
• What is the substance an enzyme acts upon called?


  The substrate
• What is the process that occurs when an enzyme and substrate interact?


  • An enzyme-substrate complex forms
  • The reaction takes place
  • Products are formed
• What are the two types of reactions enzymes can catalyze?


  • Degradation reactions: break down large molecules
  • Synthesis reactions: build up small molecules into large ones
• What is the product of the reaction catalyzed by amylase on starch?


  Maltose
• What does catalase break down and what are its products?


  Hydrogen peroxide into oxygen and water
• What are the products of the reaction catalyzed by lipase on lipids?


  Glycerol and fatty acids
• What does pepsin act on and what is produced?


  It acts on protein to produce peptides
• What does phosphorylase convert glucose-1-phosphate into?


  Starch
• What is the role of the active site in an enzyme?


  It is where the substrate binds to form a product
• How does the shape of the active site relate to enzyme specificity?


  The active site shape is complementary to a specific substrate
• What factors affect enzyme activity?


  Temperature and pH
• What is the optimum temperature for most human enzymes?


  37°C
• What happens to enzymes at temperatures higher than their optimum?


  They become denatured and can no longer function
• How does pH affect enzyme activity?


  Different pH values can affect enzyme activity and may cause denaturation
• What is the optimum pH for the enzyme mentioned in the graph?


  pH 8
• At what pH does pepsin work best?


  pH 2.5
• What can happen to enzymes if the pH is not optimal?


  They can become denatured