E N Z Y M E S What are they? What do they do? How do they work? What can affect how an enzyme works? DRM- Biology S4 2011

DEFINITION An enzyme is a biological catalyst. This means it is a protein (biological molecule) that speeds up chemical reactions (a catalyst). A substrate is the molecule on which an enzyme acts. DRM- Biology S4 2011

WHAT ENZYMES DO Enzymes act in chemical reactions that build up (join simple molecules to make a bigger, complex compound) or break down (digest) big complex molecules to small simple substances. Examples: Amino acids are joined to make proteins (building up or anabolic reactions) Starch is broken down to glucose (breaking down or catabolic reactions) DRM- Biology S4 2011

DRM- Biology S4 2011

SOME TERMS TO REMEMBER SUBSTRATE: the molecule upon which an enzyme acts. Example: The enzyme amylase breaks down starch. So starch is the substrate for amylase. ACTIVE SITE (of the enzyme) part of the enzyme that binds to the substrate during a chemical reaction. PRODUCT: the molecule obtained as a result of the enzyme’s action. RATE OF REACTION: how an enzymes works. It is measured by recording either the disappearance of substrate or the appearance of product. In other words, it records the changes in concentration of either the substrate or the product as the reaction proceeds. DRM- Biology S4 2011

PROPERTIES OF ENZYMES Enzymes are specific. They will react only with a one given type of substrate. Example: an enzyme that breaks down proteins will not break down fats. Enzymes are affected by extreme temperatures and pH. Each enzyme has an optimum pH and temperature at which it works best. Enzymes are not affected by the chemical reaction they help take place. This means that the same enzyme can be reused again, and that a small number of enzymes can carry out a great number of chemical reactions to produce a lot of products. Enzymes are affected by poisons, such as toxins and heavy metals, and by high concentrations of salts. DRM- Biology S4 2011

HOW ENZYMES WORK A) lock and key model: the substrate has a similar shape to the one in the active site – an enzyme-substrate complex forms – a product is obtained and the unchanged enzyme is free to start again. DRM- Biology S4 2011

B) induced fit model The substrate does not have a similar shape to the active site in the enzyme; instead, when the enzyme approaches the substrate, the enzyme’s shape changes so that the substrate can now “fit” in the active site. DRM- Biology S4 2011

FACTORS AFFECTING ENZYME-CONTROLLED REACTIONS Temperature pH Concentration of substrate Concentration of enzymes Cofactors and coenzymes (these molecules increase the rate of reaction if present, they are necessary for the enzyme to work; e.g. vitamins) Inhibitors (these molecules slow down or prevent the enzyme from working; e.g. poisons, antibiotics) DRM- Biology S4 2011

HOW TEMPERATURE AFFECTS ENZYMES At low temperatures, enzymes are inactive or work very slowly. As the temperature increases, enzymes become more active and the rate of reaction increases until the optimum temperature, when the highest rate of reaction is achieved. At higher temperatures, the enzymes are denatured (destroyed) so they can no longer bind to the substrate and no reaction takes place. HOW TEMPERATURE AFFECTS ENZYMES DRM- Biology S4 2011

Very high or very low pH affects how enzymes work, as extreme pH will denature the enzyme. Remember each type of enzyme has its own optimum pH at which it works best. HOW pH AFFECTS ENZYMES DRM- Biology S4 2011

pH and temperature of different enzymes DRM- Biology S4 2011