Enzymes B2

Rates Of Reaction

• Enzymes are biological catalysts. They increase the rate of chemical reactions inside and outside cells. 
• Enzymes are specific in their action- each enzyme only catalyses a particular chemical reaction or type of chemical reaction.
• During digestion, enzymes break down large insoluble food molecules into smaller, soluble ones that can dissolve into blood. 

How Enzymes Work

• This diagram shows how an enzyme works. The substrate binds to a part of the enzyme called the active site. 
• Notice how they fit together like a lock and key. An enzyme will only catalyse a particular reaction when the shape of its active site matches the shape of the substrate molecule. 
• The enzyme catalyses the breakdown of the substrate into the products, which then leave the enzyme. The enzyme is then free to join…