CHAPTER 4:

ENZYME
Many reactions take place within the cells of living organisms. If these reactions
were to happen at a normal pace, they would take forever!
So, cells depend on specific protein molecules to speed up or catalyse the rate of
the biochemical reactions in them. These catalysts are called enzymes.
Since enzymes are proteins in nature, they are easily affected by factors such as
temperature and pH. Hence, conditions within the cell must be optimal for
enzymes to function effectively.
The best way to master the topic on enzymes is to use the comprehensive
S.M.A.R.T. guide.
S.M.A.R.T. guide to learning biology
Structure function relationship - knowing the function of every structure.
1. Structure: What chemical compound is an enzyme made up of?
Proteins.
2. Function: What is the role played by enzymes in living organisms?
Enzymes speed up the rate of chemical reactions in living organisms.
Mastery of facts - by asking the right questions and learning from the answer.
A simple way to accomplish this is by using the alphabetical ABCDEFG sub-guide.
ABCDEFG means "Always (A) Begin (B) with CDEFG".
C is for characteristics
3. State the characteristics of enzymes:
a) Enzymes are made up of proteins.
b) They are catalysts that speed up the rate of a reaction.
c) They are not destroyed / altered by the reactions they catalyse.
d) Enzymes have specific active sites where they bind with substrates.
e) Enzymes show substrate specificity - they can only bind with specific
substrates.
f) Enzymes are needed only in small amounts.
g) Enzyme-catalysed reactions are reversible - they catalyse reactions in either
direction.
h) The activity of enzymes can be slowed down by inhibitors.
i) Enzymes work more effectively with the help of co-factors.

j) Enzymes are affected by factors such as temperature, pH, substrate

concentration and enzyme concentration
D is for definition
4. Define enzyme
An enzyme is a biological catalyst that speeds up the rate of chemical reactions
occurring in living organisms.
D is also for definition (The Where question)
5. Where are enzymes synthesised in a cell?
In ribosomes.
6. Where are enzymes modified and packaged in a cell?
In the Golgy body.
E is for examples and effects
7. Example: State an example of enzymes involved in the digestion or hydrolysis
of each of the following substrates:
a) Starch - Amylase
b) Proteins - Pepsin
c) Fats - Lipase
d) Maltose - Maltase
e) Lactose - Lactase
f) Sucrose - Sucrase
g) Cellulose - Cellulase
8. Effect: What would be the effect on digestion if enzymes were unavailable?
Digestion would be slowed down drastically.
F is for factors
9. State four factors that affect enzyme activity.
Temperature, pH, enzyme concentration and substrate concentration.
G is for graphs
10. Sketch a graph for each of the factors on enzyme activity. Label the x-axis
and y-axis correctly.