Enzymes

• Enzyme


  A biological catalyst that speeds up chemical reactions that occur in organisms.
• Enzymes break down large nutrients into smaller soluble nutrients.
• • Insoluble -> cannot dissolve in water
  • Soluble -> can dissolve in water
• The enzyme amylase breaks down starch (which is insoluble) into glucose which is absorbed into the bloodstream.
• The enzyme protease breaks down protein (insoluble) into amino acids which are absorbed into the bloodstream.
• The enzyme lipase breaks down lipids (insoluble) into molecules of fatty acids joined to a molecule of glycerol, absorbed into the bloodstream.
• Lock and key theory

  The active site on the enzyme has a unique shape which only the specific substrate fits into.
• Increasing the pH above the optimum decreases enzyme activity.
• Decreasing the pH below the optimum decreases enzyme activity.
• Decreasing the pH below the optimum denatures enzymes.
• Denaturing enzymes changes the shape of the active site.