Enzymes

• enzymes catalyse breakdown and synthesise reactions
• organisms need to synthesis big molecules from small molecules e.g. to make new cells
• organisms need to break down big molecules to form smaller molecules e.g. during digestion
• enzymes are biological catalysts
• biological catalysts speed up chemical reactions in living organisms
• the active site is the part that joins onto the substrate to catalyse the reaction
• enzymes are substrate specific as they only work with one substrate and the substrate needs to fit into that active site
• big molecules are called proteins, lipids and carbohydrates
• temperature affects enzyme shape and activity. if it is too hot, the active site changes and the enzyme denatures
• lipases break down lipids into glycerol and fatty acids
• PH affects enzyme shape and activity. if the PH is too high or too low, its affecting the bonds holding the active site together
• rate = 1000/time
• carbohydrase break down carbohydrates into simple sugars
• a higher substrate concentration leads to faster reactions. it is more likely that enzymes will meet and react with the substrate molecule which will make more enzymes full
• proteases break down proteins into amino acids