1. ENZYMES

2. What Are Enzymes? An enzyme is a special kind of protein molecule, made mainly of hydrogen and carbon atoms. Both prokaryote and eukaryote cells use enzymes.protein moleculehydrogencarbonprokaryote eukaryote cells

3. How Do Enzymes Work? Enzymes speed up reaction times by providing an alternative pathway with a lower the amount of activation energy. They are sometimes called an organic or biological catalyst.

4. ENZYMES: A Lock and Key Model Each enzyme has a unique shape. An enzyme connects to a specific molecule just like a key fits a specific lock. The enzyme will either bind together or break apart the chemical bonds of the substrate molecule.. The enzyme is not changed during the reaction and can be used over and over again.

5. Do We Need Enzymes? Enzymes are produced in the body by certain organs like the salivary glands, stomach, pancreas, and small intestine. Enzymes in the body help in the digestion of food. They also support the brain functions, repair and heal the body, and break down toxins.

6. What Happens If Enzymes Don’t Work? In the above illustration a poison molecule has bonded to the active site of an enzyme. In Locoweed poisoning of livestock, the alkaloid blocks an important enzyme. The sick animal becomes paralyzed and eventually dies. Temperature and Ph balance also affect an enzyme’s ability to work.

7. Enzyme Deficiency NAME OF DISEASEENZYMERESULT Tay Sach’s DiseaseHexosaminidase A Nerve cells fill up with a lipid. Early symptoms include seizures and eventually there may be a complete loss of motor skills. For those with Infantile Tay Sachs, their expected life span is less than five years. Fabry Diseasealpha-galactosidase A Symptoms of Fabry disease include pain and burning sensations in the hands or feet, as well as kidney and heart health problems. Enzyme replacement is an effective treatment. G6PD Deficiencyglucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase There may be no symptoms or they may experience anemia with back pain, abdominal pain. The red blood cells are more vulnerable to breaking down, and hemolytic anemia can result.

8. Comprehension Questions: 1. Enzymes are special ________________ molecules. 2. Enzymes are called organic or biological ________________ because they speed up reactions. 3. We need enzymes. Enzymes are used in________________ to break down the food we eat. 4. Each enzyme has a unique ____________________________. 5. Enzymes speed up reactions by ________________________ the activation energy needed. 6. Name one condition caused by an enzyme deficiency.