Enzymes

•Enzymes are globular protein molecules, and so are

made up of long chains of amino acids (C,H,O & N).
•Different types of enzymes have different shapes and
functions because the order and type of amino acids in
their structure is different.
•Only molecules with exactly the right shape will bind to
the enzyme and react (enzymes are substrate specific).

•An enzyme is a biological catalyst.

•A catalyst speeds up reactions by lowering the activation energy
(Ea) of a reaction without being altered itself.
•The activation energy is the energy needed to start a reaction.
energy (kJ)

reaction (time)
The Lock and Key Model

+ ↔ ↔ +
 Factors affecting enzymes
• Factors that affect the rate of a reaction include:

•All enzymes work best at only one particular

temperature and pH: this is called the optimum.
•If the temperature and pH changes beyond an enzyme’s
optimum, the shape of the enzyme irreversibly changes
•IT IS DENATURED.
heat

pH
normal denatured
Bile