Biology, 4: Enzymes

• Enzymes are proteins that function as biological catalysts, they help carry out life processes quickly.
• Substrates are the molecule the enzyme joins with at the start of a reaction.
• Product is the molecule formed by the end of a reaction.
• The active site is where the substrate binds to the enzyme. It catalyses the reaction.
• The enzyme-substrate complex is formed when the enzyme and substrate binds.
• What happens to enzymes in high temperature

  Molecules gain more kinetic energy

  There is more frequent collisions, increasing rate of reaction

  Once past the optimum temperature, activity decreases

  This is because the active site changes shape and enzyme is denatured, losing catalytic activity
• What happens to enzyme depending on pH

  If pH moves away from optimum pH, activity decreases.