Enzymes

• What is the main function of enzymes?

  To speed up chemical reactions
• What type of molecule are enzymes?

  Proteins
• How do enzymes speed up chemical reactions?

  By lowering the activation energy
• What happens to an enzyme if it is exposed to high temperatures?

  It may denature and lose its function
• What is the “active site” of an enzyme?

  The part of the enzyme that binds with the substrate
• What is meant by “enzyme specificity”?

  Each enzyme can only catalyze a specific reaction
• What happens to enzyme activity when the pH is too high or too low?

  The enzyme becomes denatured and loses its function
• How do enzymes work to catalyze a reaction?

  They lower the activation energy, allowing the reaction to occur faster
• Substrate


  The substances enzymes act upon

  
• Active Site


  Specific part of an enzyme where a substrate fits

  
• Lock-and-Key Model


  Enzymes and substrates fit together based on their specific shapes like a key fits a lock

  
• pH, Temperature & Concentration


  Three factors that affect enzyme activity
• Acid


  pH between 0-7

  
• Base


  pH between 7-14

  
• Neutral


  pH of 7

  
• Optimal temperature


  Temperature at which an enzyme works the best

  
• Denature


  Change in shape of an enzyme due to extremes in temperature or pH, causes the enzyme to stop functioning
• Protein


  Type of biomolecule an enzyme is
• Remains Unchanged


  Characteristics of an enzyme after catalyzing a chemical reaction

  
• Concentration


  How much of a substance is present

  
• Optimal pH


  pH at which an enzyme works best

  
• Inhibitor


  A substance that slows down or stops a chemical reaction

  
• Usually ends in -ose

  Substrates
• Usually ends in -ase

  Enzymes