B2 3.1 Proteins, catalysts and enzymes

• Protein molecules are made of long chains of amino acids.
• The long chains are folded to produce specific shapes. The shape of a protein depends on its function.
• Proteins can be:
  • Structural components of tissues, such as muscle
  • hormones
  • antibodies
  • catalysts

Chemical reactions in cells are controlled by proteins called enzymes.

• Enzymes are biological catalysts - they speed - up reactions.
• Enzymes are large…