ENZYMES Unit 1 Biochemistry

What is an ENZYME? An enzyme is a special type of protein called a catalyst Catalyst: substance that speeds up a reaction because it lowers the activation energy Activation energy: energy needed to get a reaction started Cells use enzymes to speed up reactions

Enzyme-Substrate Complex Enzymes are very specific and typically only catalyze (speed up) one specific reaction, bonding with what is called a SUBSTRATE

Lock and Key

A Chemical Reaction is the change from one set of chemicals to another set of chemicals. It involves the breaking of bonds and the formation of new bonds.

Chemical Reactions can happen in a lab setting Chemical Reactions are constantly taking place inside your body Catalysts: speed up the rate of a reaction Enzymes = Biological Catalysts

Activation Energy

HOW DO ENZYMES WORK? Enzyme & Substrate BOND Bonding weakens substrate to allow better fit Enzyme & Products leave active site Enzyme & Substrate come together at Active Site

What are enzymes used for? Digestion photosynthesis DNA replication

What regulates enzymes? changes in pH temperature other proteins & chemicals

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