Enzymes

• Enzymes are proteins that function as biological catalysts. They speed up the rate of chemical reactions and remain chemically unchanged at the end of the reaction.
• Enzymes catalyse reactions to:

  • break down complex molecules into simpler substances (e.g digestion)
  • build up complex molecules from simpler substances (e.g forming haemoglobin blood protein from amino acids.)
• Naming enzymes:

  • Maltase - acts on the substrate Maltose
  • Protease - acts on the substrate Proteins
  • Lipase - acts on the substrate Lipids (fats)
• Enzymes are mostly protein in nature and are therefore affected by temperature and pH.
• The active site is where the substrate binds with an enzyme, it has a specific shape which fits only one type of substrate.
• Denaturation occurs when the enzyme loses its tertiary structure due to changes in environmental factors such as heat, acidity/alkalinity, pressure etc.