GCSE Biology Additional Science Higher Notes | Subject: Enzymes

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Enzymes

What are enzymes?

- Enzymes are biological catalysts. There are optimum temperatures and pH values at which their activity is greatest. Enzymes are also proteins, and usually denatured at above about 45ºC.Without enzymes, our guts would take weeks and weeks to digest our food. 

- Enzymes are important in respiration. Aerobic respiration releases energy from glucose.

Catalysts: Catalysts are substances that increase the rate of chemical reactions without being used up. Enzymes are also proteins that are folded into complex shapes that allow smaller molecules to fit into them. The place where these substrate molecules fit is called the active site.

 As the temperature increases, so does the rate of reaction. But very high temperatures denature enzymes.

Changes in pH alter an enzyme’s…

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