Enzymes

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  • Enzymes
    • Acting as Biological Catalysts
      • A catalyst is a substance which increases the speed of a reaction without being changed or used up in the reaction
      • Enzymes are all proteins- chains of amino acids
      • Also act as structural components of tissues, hormones and antibodies
    • Special shape to catalyse reactions
      • Chemical reactions- split apart or joined together
      • Every enzyme has a unique shape that fits onto the substance involved in the reaction
        • For the enzyme to work, the substrate has to fit its special shape, if substrate doesn't match enzymes shape, then the reaction wont be catalysed
      • Only catalyse one reaction
      • For the enzyme to work, the substrate has to fit its special shape, if substrate doesn't match enzymes shape, then the reaction wont be catalysed
    • Right Temperature and pH
      • Optimum temp. is 37 degrees- enzyme= most active
        • Too hot, bonds break, denatures enzyme's special shape
      • Too hot, bonds break, denatures enzyme's special shape
      • Too high/ low interferes with bonds- changes the shape and denatured the enzyme
      • Often pH 7, but pepsin enzyme works best at pH 2

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