ENZYMES made of Proteins

IMPORTANCE OF ENZYMES Enzymes are biological catalysts. Lower the amount of energy needed for rxn Not changed by rxn Not used up by rxn

They lower the amount of energy needed for a reaction. Reaction pathway without enzyme Activation energy Activation energy with enzyme Reactants Products

ENZYME STRUCTURE

Substrate Reactants that enzymes work on. Can be a big molec that needs broken down or small molec that need to be joined together.

Active Site The place on the enzyme where the substrate and enzyme interact. The substrate fits like a key in the “lock” of the active site.

Responsible for metabolism: Catabolism: breaking apart molecules (hydrolysis) Anabolism: building molecules (dehydration synthesis/condensation rxn)

Product The altered substrate produced at the end of the reaction.

Most enzymes are named after the substrate they work on (usually ending in “-ase”). Lipase-lipids Protease-proteins Sucrase-sucrose

Coenzymes Another chemical (non-protein) that helps enzymes do work. Example vitamins

Enzyme Specificity Enzymes are very specific about which types of substrates they can work on. B/C of this, a different enzyme is needed for almost every rxn in the body.

Denaturation An enzyme’s active site changes shape, which can stop or slow down biological activity, usually permanent Causes: Temperature change pH change

pH There is a range of tolerance specific to each enzyme

Temperature There is a range of tolerance specific to each enzyme

Inhibitors Substances that interfere with the action of the enzyme. 2 types Competitive Noncompetitive Ex. Toxins, poisons, antibiotics

Competitive Inhibitors Are able to bind at the active site and block the way for the substrate.

Noncompetitive Inhibitors Bind someplace other than the active site causing a change in the active site. Substrate can no longer bind.