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4.5 Enzymes Enzyme: a protein that speeds up reactions in cells. Substrate: a substance which an enzyme acts in a biochemical reaction.

ction. Product: a substance formed at the end of the reaction. Intracellular enzymes: enzymes which produced and retained in cell for the use of the cell itself. Found in cytoplasm, nucleus, mitochondria and chloroplasts. Extracellular enzymes: enzymes which produced in cell but secreted from the cell to function externally.

The role of enzymes in organisms Metabolism is the biochemical reactions. Metabolism includes :

a) Anabolism: The metabolic reactions that build complex molecules. b) Catabolism: The metabolic reactions that breakdown complex molecules.

General Characteristics of Enzymes 1. All enzymes are proteins. 2. Synthesised by specific cells. 3. Enzymes are biology catalysts that speed up biochemical reactions without enzymes being changed or destroyed by the reactions. 4. Highly specific.

Each enzyme catalyses only one kind of substrate. Active sites bind to specific substrates.

5. Needed in minute amounts because they are not used up but released at the end of reaction.
6. Reversible.

7. Enzyme activities can be slowed or stopped by inhibitors. 8. Require helper molecules, called cofactors, to function.

Cofactors bind to enzymes and weaken the bonds in the substrate molecules. Examples of inorganic cofactors: ferum and copper. Examples of organic cofactors or coenzymes: water-soluble vitamins.

Naming of Enzymes
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Adding ase to the main part of the name of substrate on which they act. Example: Substrate Protein Maltose Lipid Enzyme Protease Maltase Lipase

The name of enzyme is written above the reaction arrow. Example: Sucrase

sucrose + water

glucose + fructose

Some enzymes were named before a systematic way of naming enzymes was formulated. Example: pepsin, trypsin and rennin

Synthesis of Enzymes
1. The site for enzyme synthesis is located at the ribosomes. 2. Information for synthesis of enzymes is found in DNA. 3. In nucleus, DNA exposes its two strands for synthesis of a messenger RNA (mRNA) strand. 4. mRNA synthesised according to the instruction on the DNA. 5. mRNA then leaves the nucleus and moves to the ribosome. 6. mRNA attaches itself to the ribosome.

7. In the ribosomes, the RNA assembles the amino acids into specific proteins. 8. The proteins are then modified to become enzymes. Production of Extracellular Enzymes 1. Protein is produced in the ribosome. 2. Protein is then transported through the space within the rough endoplasmic reticulum (rough ER). 3. Proteins depart from rough ER wrapped in vesicles. 4. These vesicles then fuse with the membranes of Golgi apparatus.
5. Golgi apparatus modifies the protein into specific protein such as enzyme. 6. The enzymes is packed into the secretory vesicle of the Golgi apparatus and transported to the

plasma membrane.
7. The secretory vesicle fuses with the plasma membrane before secrete the enzyme out of the cell. 2

Mechanism of Enzyme Action 1. Biochemical reaction takes place at active site. 2. The active site of an enzyme has shape and charges that complement its substrate. 3. The shape of substrate must fit the enzyme precisely. 4. The way an enzyme binds to its substrate-lock and key hypothesis. 5. Substrate molecule -key 6. Enzyme molecule-lock. 7. Substrate molecule binds to the active site to form enzyme-substrate complex- like a key fits into a lock. 8. Enzyme catalyses the conversion of substrate to product(s) which leave the active site. 9. Enzyme molecule is now free to bind to more substrate molecules. 10. Sequence of steps in an enzymatic reaction:
Enzyme + Substrate Enzymesubstrate complex Enzyme + Product

Factors affecting the activity of enzymes The factors which affect enzyme activity include: a) pH b) temperature c) substrate concentration d) enzyme concentration The effects of pH on the activity of enzymes

Enzymes are affected by acidity or alkalinity of the solutions. A slight change can affect rate of enzyme reactions. Optimum pH: pH at which the rate of reaction is the highest. This enzymes function optimally at a pH that ranges from 6 to 8. A change in the pH can alter the charges on the active sites of an enzyme and the surface of a substrate.
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-This can reduce the ability of both molecules to bind each other. -The reaction cannot take place. In extreme pH conditions (acidic or alkaline)-configuration of enzyme is altered and the enzyme structure is distorted, thus destroying its function. Exception: (a) pepsin- functions optimally in pH 2 within the stomach. (b) trypsin- functions optimally in pH 8.5 within the duodenum.

The effects of pH on the active site of enzymes are reversible. -When the pH in the environment reverts to the optimum level, the ionic charges on the active site are restored. -The enzyme resumes its normal function.

The effects of temperature on the activity of enzyme At low temperature, the rate of enzyme reaction is low. At higher temperature, the rate of enzyme reaction increase. This is because: -The enzyme and substrate molecules move faster, increasing the force and the rate of collision.

For every 10C rise in the temperature, the rate of enzymatic reaction in a cell doubled. The optimum temperature for an enzyme reaction is 37C. The optimum temperature is the temperature at which an enzyme catalyses a reaction at the maximum rate. As the temperature increases, the rate of reaction is increased until it reaches the optimum temperature. Beyond the optimum temperature, the enzymes become denatured rapidly and cause the rate of reaction decreases. At 60C, all the enzymes are denatured and the reaction stops. Denaturation of an enzyme is irreversible.

The effects of substrate concentration on the activity of enzyme

When the concentration of substrate increases, the rate of enzyme reaction will increase. This is because more substrate molecules are available to bind the active site of the enzymes. Hence, more products will be produced. The rate of enzyme reaction increases directly proportional to the amount of substrate present until maximum rate is achieved.
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After the maximum rate, the rate of enzyme reaction does not increase even though the concentration of substrate increases. This is because the quantity of enzyme which catalysed the reaction is limited, hence, no enzymesubstrate complex can be formed and no reaction occurs. The concentration of enzyme becomes a limiting factor.

The effects of enzyme concentration on the activity of enzyme

When the concentration of enzyme increases, the rate of enzyme reaction will increase. This is because more active sites are available for enzyme action. The rate of enzyme reaction increases directly proportional to the concentration of enzyme present until a maximum rate is achieved. After the maximum rate, the rate of enzyme reaction does not increase even though the enzyme concentration increases. This is because there is no more substrate for the enzyme to act on. Hence, the rate of enzyme reaction is limited by substrate concentration. The limiting factor is the concentration of substrate.

The uses of enzymes Type of Industry 1. Food processing industry (a) Meat products (b) Starch products Enzymes used Proteases Amylase & amyloglucoxidase Glucose isomerase (c) Fish products Protease Lipase Lactase Rennin (e) Alcoholic drinks (f) Bread & other bakery products Zymase -Amylase Remove skin of fish. Ripening of cheese. Hydrolyses lactose to glucose & galactose in making of ice cream. Solidifies milk proteins. Converts sugars into ethanol. Converts starch flour into sugar in making of bread / dough.
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Uses Tenderises meat Change starch to sugar in making of syrup. Production of high fructose syrup.

(g) Cereal grain products (h) Seaweed products 2. Leather products 3. Textile products 4. Medical/pharmaceutical products 5. Biological washing powder/detergents

Cellulase Cellulase Trypsin Amylase Pancreatic trypsin Microbial trypsin Protease & amylase

Breaks down cellulose & removes seed coat from cereal grains. Extracts agar from seaweed. Removal of hair from animal hides. Removes starch that is used as stiffeners from fabrics. Treats inflammation. Dissolves blood clots. Dissolve protein & starch stains in clothes.

The Importance of Chemical Composition in Cells

The chemical composition in cells is important to enable the cells to function optimally. If our bodies lack certain types of compounds such as proteins, new cells and tissues cannot be produced to replace damaged ones. This will inhibit body growth. Enzymes and hormones are made up of proteins. Without enzymes, all biochemical reactions will proceed too slowly to sustain life.

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