EN Z Y M ES

CH EM ICAL REACTIO N S
A process that changes one set of

chemicals into another set of

chemicals
REACTANTS elements or compounds
that enter into a chemical reaction
PRODUCTS elements or compounds
that are Produced in a chemical
reaction
Chemical reactions always involve the
breaking of bonds in reactants and
the formation of new bonds in

 In a reaction, energy is either

TAKEN IN (ENDOTHERMIC) or
GIVEN OFF (EXOTHERMIC)
Can you think of an everyday

example of each type of

reaction?

Enzym es and Enzym e Action

Catalyst: inorganic or organic

substance which speeds up the rate

of a chemical reaction without
entering the reaction itself
Enzymes: organic catalysts made of
protein most enzyme names end in
-ase
Enzymes lower the energy needed to
start a chemical reaction. (activation
energy)
Begin to be destroyed above 45C.

It is thought that, in order for an enzyme to affect the

rate of a reaction, the following events must take
place.
1. The enzyme must form a temporary association with
the substance or substances whose reaction rate it
affects. These substances are known as substrates.
2. The association between enzyme and substrate is
thought to form a close physical association
between the molecules and is called the enzymesubstrate complex.
3. While the enzyme-substrate complex is formed,
enzyme action takes place.
4. Upon completion of the reaction, the enzyme and
product(s) separate. The enzyme molecule is now
available to form additional complexes.

H ow do enzym es w ork?
substrate: molecules upon which an

enzyme acts
the enzyme is shaped so that it can

only lock up with a specific substrate

molecule
enzyme
substrate -------------> product

"Lock and Key Theory"

each enzyme is specific for one and

ONLY one substrate (one lock - one

key)
this theory has many weaknesses,
but it explains some basic things
about enzyme function

Factors Infl
uencing Rate ofEnzym e Action
1. pH - the optimum (best) in most living
things is close to 7 (neutral)
high or low pH levels usually slow
enzyme activity
A few enzymes (such as gastric
protease) work best at a pH of about 2.0

2. Temperature - strongly influences

enzyme activity
optimum temperature for maximum
enzyme function is usually about 3540 C.
reactions proceed slowly below
optimal temperatures
above 45 C most enzymes are
denatured (change in their shape so
the enzyme active site no longer fits
with the substrate and the enzyme
can't function)

3. Concentrations of Enzyme and

Substrate
** When there is a fixed amount of
enzyme and an excess of substrate
molecules -- the rate of reaction will
increase to a point and then level
off.