Enzymes

• Catalyst

  A substance which speeds up chemical reaction without being used at the end of the reaction
• Enzymes are called biological catalyst which speed up the rate of reaction in the body
• Chemical reaction in the body is called metabolism.
• The enzymes have a specific shape where chemical reaction takes place, it is called the active site.
• The molecule with a complementary shape which fits in the active site is called the substrate.
• When the substrate binds with the active site it'll form an enzyme-substrate complex.
• In the enzyme-substrate complex, the substrate becomes unstable and is broken into products which leave the active site for other substrates.
• A catalase is an enzyme which catalyses the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide produced by cells.
• Factors affecting rate of enzyme reaction:

  • pH
  • temperature
• Enzymes work best at a particular pH.
• Enzymes works efficiently at 37 degree celsius (body temp).
• Enzymes are not used up after reaction
• Enzymes have specific active site to accommodate specific substrate.
• Optimum temperature

  A temperature at which enzyme reaction rate is the highest.
• In enzymes, if the temperature is too high, it'll break the bonds holding the enzyme and substrate together, where the enzymes will lose its shape. The enzyme is now denatured.
• Most enzymes get their correct shape at pH 7
• If the enzyme is too alkaline or acidic, it'll change its shape thus, would not be able to bind with respective substrate.