Biology notes

ENZYMES
CHAPTER-5

 Enzymes are proteins that act as biological catalysts and are involved in all
metabolic reactions. They are made in all living cells.
 Only small amounts of enzymes are needed to speed the reaction rate.
 They’re important because they control the reactions in the cell. They make
sure that these reactions occur quickly enough for the cell to function.

An enzyme controlled reaction involves a substrate (substance on which an

enzyme works), enzyme and a product (molecule produced). (Substrate and
product may be two or more different molecules)
Substrate  product
enzyme

The part of an enzyme molecule that is responsible for combing with a substrate is
called the active site.
Enzyme’s active site and the substrate molecules have complementary shapes so
that they can fit together.
When the enzyme joins the substrate, an enzyme-substrate complex is formed
temporarily.
Molecules of two substances can combine without the enzyme being present, but
the process would be slow.
Enzymes can also make long chains of molecules.

- Above 50C most enzymes, being proteins, get denatured and stop working.
(Above 50C the shape of an enzyme is permanently changed, thus the
active site deforms and can’t combine with substrates).
This is one of the main reasons why organisms maybe killed by continued
exposure to high temperatures because without enzymes the reactions will
be too slow to keep the organism alive.
Biology notes

Usually a rise 10C doubles the reaction rate, up to an optimum temperature

of 37C. Because the molecules are constantly moving, using kinetic energy.
The reaction only happens when the enzyme and substrate molecules collide
with each other. As temperature increases, chances of collisions increases
and reaction rate increases. But when the temperature rises above optimum
temperature, molecules will obviously gain k.e. but the reaction will slow
down due to the denaturation. This is a gradual process (i.e. the reaction will
not stop suddenly but the no. of effective collisions decreases).
Control in enzyme experiments- heat the substance to boiling point, if it’s still able
to carry out the function, it’s not an enzyme. (Checking if the substance is an
enzyme or not).

- Acid and alkaline conditions alter the properties of enzymes.

Most enzymes work best at an optimum pH and temperature.
Changes in the pH affect the activity of enzymes, these effects are usually
reversible. i.e. an enzyme that is disabled by a low pH will restart its normal
activity when its optimum pH is met again.
All enzymes are made inside cells.
Intracellular enzymes- enzymes remaining inside the cell to speed up reactions in
the cytoplasm and the nucleus.
Extracellular enzymes- enzymes made in the cells and are let out of the cell to do
their work.
Fungi and bacteria release extracellular enzymes to digest their food.
In animals’ digestive systems, extracellular enzymes are released into the stomach
and intestines to digest the food.