This document provides background information on enzymes and how they function in digestion. Enzymes are proteins that act as biological catalysts, lowering the activation energy for chemical reactions and increasing the rate at which substrates are converted into products. Each enzyme contains an active site that binds a specific substrate through induced fit, breaking it down into products. An enzyme's activity can be affected by changes in temperature and pH.
This document provides background information on enzymes and how they function in digestion. Enzymes are proteins that act as biological catalysts, lowering the activation energy for chemical reactions and increasing the rate at which substrates are converted into products. Each enzyme contains an active site that binds a specific substrate through induced fit, breaking it down into products. An enzyme's activity can be affected by changes in temperature and pH.
This document provides background information on enzymes and how they function in digestion. Enzymes are proteins that act as biological catalysts, lowering the activation energy for chemical reactions and increasing the rate at which substrates are converted into products. Each enzyme contains an active site that binds a specific substrate through induced fit, breaking it down into products. An enzyme's activity can be affected by changes in temperature and pH.
This document provides background information on enzymes and how they function in digestion. Enzymes are proteins that act as biological catalysts, lowering the activation energy for chemical reactions and increasing the rate at which substrates are converted into products. Each enzyme contains an active site that binds a specific substrate through induced fit, breaking it down into products. An enzyme's activity can be affected by changes in temperature and pH.
Reading notes BACKGROUND INFORMATION. Have you ever wondered how you digest your food? The process of digestion is completed through the actions of enzymes. Digestive enzymes are produced by the body and are used to break down food into smaller molecules that cells can use for various life activities. Enzymes belong to a class of macromolecules named proteins. Proteins, also known as polypeptides, are long chains of amino acids that are twisted into a variety of patterns to form unique three- dimensional structures. With proteins, the sequence of amino acids determines the three- dimensional shape of the protein and the shape of the protein determines its function in the body. Chemical reactions occur when the bonds between atoms are broken or formed, allowing a transfer of energy. Sometimes an initial burst of energy must be provided in order to initiate a chemical reaction. This burst of energy is called activation energy. Activation energy is defined as the amount of energy the reactants must absorb in order to start a reaction. Catalysts affect activation energies by decreasing the activation energy needed to start a chemical reaction. When a catalyst is present, less energy is required to begin the reaction and the products are formed at a faster rate. Catalysts are neither a reactant nor a product. They are not changed during the reaction, nor used in the reaction. Enzymes are biological catalysts for reactions. Enzymes exhibit a wide range of shapes and sizes. They can be assembled from many or only a few amino acids. Each enzyme has a distinct three-dimensional shape, which determines the function, or the job of the enzyme. The unique size and shape of each enzyme only allows certain substrates to bind to the enzyme. Reactants are also called substrates. Enzymes bind their substrates at the active site, which is located on the enzyme. The enzyme and substrate will fit together like a lock and key. The substrate shape must fit in the active site of the enzyme, much like how only a specific key will fit into the keyhole of a lock. In reality, however, the action of an enzyme binding to a substrate is somewhat more complicated. The enzyme will bind the substrate in its active site and it will hug the substrate. This hugging action bends and weakens the bonds within the substrate, allowing the chemical reaction to begin. The hugging action is also called induced fit. Once the enzyme and substrate bind in the active site, they form an enzyme-substrate complex. The enzyme lowers the activation energy required for the reaction and the substrates are converted into the product. When an enzyme changes one substrate into two products, they are called decomposition products. When an enzyme combines two substrates into one product, it is called a synthesis product. All enzymes contain an active site, which is a sequence of amino acids with a specific shape. This shape is complementary to the substrate. When the enzyme breaks the substrate down, the substrate enters the active site to form an enzyme-substrate complex. The substrate is broken down and the product is released. The enzyme can then bind to another substrate molecule.
1 Each enzyme is complementary to only one type of substrate; hence it cannot break down other substrates. For example, proteases break down proteins so that amino acids can be absorbed into the blood. Proteases cannot, however, break down other molecules such as carbohydrates, which can only be broken down by carbohydrase enzymes. Enzymes are sensitive to small changes in the temperature and pH of the environment. Most of our enzymes work best between 35 and 40 degrees Celsius and between pH 6 and pH 8. If the environment changes, with either a change in temperature or the pH value, the shape of the enzyme changes. As the temperature increases up to the enzyme’s optimum, the rate of reaction increases. This is because the molecules have more kinetic energy, thus move faster. Consequently, more successful collisions occur, and more enzyme-substrate complexes can form. At very high temperatures above the optimum, the enzymes become denatured and the active site changes shape. This decreases the rate of reaction as enzyme-substrate complexes cannot form. At low temperatures enzyme activity is low because the enzyme and substrate molecules have less kinetic energy so there are fewer collisions between them. At the optimum temperature, the kinetic energy in the substrate and enzyme molecules is ideal for the maximum number of collisions. Enzyme Inhibitors-An enzyme's activity can be reduced or stopped, temporarily, by a reversible inhibitor. There are two types of reversible inhibitors: Competitive inhibitors have a similar shape to that of the substrate molecules and therefore compete with the substrate for the active site. Non-competitive inhibitors bind to the enzyme at an alternative site, which alters the shape of the active site and therefore prevents the substrate from binding to it VISUALS:
2 3 Video link : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlH1ym916Fo
Student Pre-lab Questions
Directions: Answer the questions below in the space provided. Answer all questions in complete sentences.
1. Enzymes belong to what class of macromolecules?
2. What is the function of an enzyme?
3. What is activation energy?
4. What is a substrate and what does it bind during a chemical reaction?
5. Describe what happens to the substrate during the induced fit process.
6. What type of environmental changes affect the function of enzymes?
