MODULE 1

CELL BASIC UNIT OF LIFE

 PROPERTIES OF ENZYMES
• Enzymes initiate and accelerate the reaction.
• The activity of an enzyme is pH-specific.
• Enzymes can catalyze reactions in a forward and reverse manner, but do not decide the direction of the biochemical
pathway.
• An enzyme possesses a specialized region (active site), to which substrate specifically interacts to form desired
products.
• Under high heat, temperature and varying pH, an enzyme becomes unstable.
• Enzymes are proteinaceous possessing properties characteristic to proteins.
• A small amount of enzyme is required to bring catalysis of substrates.
• Enzyme’s activity typically shows absolute, relative, group and stereo-specificities.
• Some enzymes are regulatory in function.
• Its primary function is to minimize the activation energy.
• The enzymes remain unaltered during and after the product formation, or they can be reconsumed.
• An enzyme may possess an allosteric site besides an active site, to which cofactors or regulators interact.
• Enzymes are soluble in water and NaCl
Functions of Enzymes
The enzymes perform a number of functions in our bodies. These include:

• Enzymes help in signal transduction. The most common enzyme used in the
process includes protein kinase that catalyzes the phosphorylation of proteins.
• They break down large molecules into smaller substances that can be easily
absorbed by the body.
• They help in generating energy in the body. ATP synthase is the enzyme involved in
the synthesis of energy.
• Enzymes are responsible for the movement of ions across the plasma membrane.
• Enzymes perform a number of biochemical reactions, including oxidation,
reduction, hydrolysis, etc. to eliminate the non-nutritive substances from the body.
• They function to reorganize the internal structure of the cell to regulate cellular
activities
 HORMONES

• Hormones are chemicals synthesized and produced by the specialized

glands to control and regulate the activity of certain cells and organs.
These specialized glands are known as endocrine glands.”
 PROPERTIES OF HORMONES

• They have a low molecular weight; thus, they can easily pass through capillaries.
Hormones always act in low concentration.
• They are soluble in water so that they can be transported via blood.
• The importance of hormones is that they are non-antigenic. They are organic
catalysts. Hormones act as coenzymes of other enzymes in the human body.
• Hormones, in their first action, cause a limited number of reactions and do not
influence any metabolic activities of a cell directly.
• A significant characteristic of hormones is that, after their function is over, they are
readily destroyed, excreted or inactivated.
• Hormonal activities are not hereditary.
 Functions of Hormones
• Metabolism of food.

• Development and growth.

• Controlling hunger and thirst.

• Preserving one's body's temperature.

• Maintain Homeostasis

• Regulating sleep and wake cycle

• Regulating mental and emotional functions.

• Establishing and sustaining sexual development and reproduction

 VITAMINS
• Vitamins are a group of organic compounds that are extremely necessary
and essential for normal growth and functioning of the human body. They
are required in very small quantities but cannot be synthesized by the body
itself, and can only be sourced from outside.

• Whereas they are not possible to be synthesized in our bodies they are
easily synthesized in plants. So we must rely on these sources for our daily
requirements of vitamins. Like for example, we eat oranges and lemons for
Vitamin C. So all our vitamins are obtained via our diet or other supplements