Enzymes

What are enzymes made of?

Proteins are made 3D molecules with specific shapes
They are made of chains of amino acids that are folded in a particular way
Enzymes are proteins and have, within their structure a specific area called an active site
The active site fits with a specific substrate at the start of the reaction
Note : Different enzymes have different active sites

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Substrates fit into the active site of an enzyme like a key fitting into a lock
Like locks and keys, enzymes will only "fit" a specific substrate
The reason why its affected greatly by temperature because the foldings of the chain of amino acids is very senstitive to the temperature as well as the pH
Changes in temperature and pH may also affect the way the chains of amino acids fold in an enzyme
If the changes affect the active site, the substrate will no longer be able to fit into the active site therefore the reaction isn't catalysed. This enzyme would be denatured.

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