Chapter 5

Enzymes

Learning Outcomes
1. Define enzymes as proteins which function as biological catalysts. 2. Explain enzyme action in terms of the lock and key hypothesis 3. Investigate and describe the effect of temperature and of pH on enzyme activity

What is a catalyst?
1. A substance that speeds up the rate of a chemical reaction. 2. Enzymes are biological catalysts.

What is an enzyme?
Enzymes are special compounds produced by living cells in a body of an organism that allow chemical reactions to take place at a faster rate. They act as catalysts. They are made of protein. They alter the rate of chemical reactions without themselves being chemically changed. Each enzyme has a unique shape.

Importance
Vital to maintain normal functioning in an organism

Uses
1. Digestion Complex insoluble molecules are broken down into small soluble molecules 2. Cellular respiration Oxidation of glucose to produce energy 3. Germination of seeds

Types of enzymes
1. Extracellular enzymes Enzymes leave the cell in which they were produced to exert their functions outside the cell. Eg salivary amylase

2. Intracellular enzymes Enzymes exert their action inside the cells

Egs:- lysozyme in lysosomes

Enzyme action
1. Lock and key hypothesis 2. Enzyme catalyzed reaction:Lock = enzyme molecule Key = substrate molecule

Active site
Enzyme substrate complex

enzyme

substrate

enzyme

products

Active site
Enzyme substrate complex

amylase

starch

amylase

2 maltose units

Classification of enzymes
1. Hydrolysis = splitting of water (water molecules are needed to break down complex molecules) 2. Called hydrolases. Eg. (a) carbohydrases (carbohydrates) (b) amylases (starch) (c) cellulases (cellulose) (d) proteases (proteins) (e) lipases (fats)

Characteristics of Enzymes
1. Enzymes and speed of chemical reactions Enzymes alter or speed up the rates of chemical reactions that occur in a cell. Enzymes remain unchanged in the reactions Enzymes can be reused over and over again

2. Enzymes are required in minute amounts A very small amount of enzyme is capable of catalyzing a huge reaction.

3. Enzymes are VERY specific. Amylases will only act on starch and NOT on proteins or fats. The substances that enzymes act on are called substrates ( starch, proteins and fats)

4. Enzyme activity is affected by temperature. Enzymes have an optimum temperature at which they function very effectively. At low temperatures, enzymes are inactive. As the temperature increases, the rate of reaction increases. Beyond the optimum temperature, the enzyme activity decreases as the enzyme is denatured.

Rate of reaction

Optimum temperature
Enzyme is denatured. Structure is changed

Temperature

5. Enzyme activity is affected by pH Enzymes are affected by the acidity or alkalinity of solutions. Some work best in acidic environment (eg pepsin) Alkaline environment ( intestinal enzymes eg amylase) Extreme changes in pH can denature the enzymes.

Rate of reaction Optimum pH

pH

Why do enzymes denature?

1. Enzymes are made of proteins 2. Proteins heat them up changes their shape 3. Their 3-D structure is changed. 4. Changes are made to the active site.

If you increase the concentration of substrate, the speed of enzyme reaction will increase. But, there will come a time when any more increase in the substrate concentration will not increase the speed of reaction. WHY?

What happens at low substrate concentration?

At low substrate concentrations, collisions between enzyme and substrate molecules are infrequent and reaction proceeds slowly.

As the substrate concentration increases, the rate of reaction initially increases proportionately as collisions between enzyme molecules and substrates become more frequent.

Enzyme Concentration

Learning Outcomes
1. Define enzymes as proteins which function as biological catalysts. 2. Explain enzyme action in terms of the lock and key hypothesis 3. Investigate and describe the effect of temperature and of pH on enzyme activity

Design a mind map to summerise the properties and nature of enzymes