16th October

Enzymes
Learning objective: to examine what enzymes are and describe how they work.

What are they?

Enzymes

Why do we need them?

Name some examples ?

Enzymes
Globular proteins that catalyse chemical reactions in living organisms Properties

Enzymes
Globular proteins that catalyse chemical reactions in living organisms

Specific
Properties

Enzymes
Globular proteins that catalyse chemical reactions in living organisms

Specific
Properties Increase rate of the reaction

Enzymes
Globular proteins that catalyse chemical reactions in living organisms

Specific
Properties Increase rate of the reaction Unchanged at the end of the reaction

Enzymes
Globular proteins that catalyse chemical reactions in living organisms

Specific
Properties Increase rate of the reaction Unchanged at the end of the reaction

Need them

Enzymes
Globular proteins that catalyse chemical reactions in living organisms

Specific
Properties Increase rate of the reaction Unchanged at the end of the reaction

Reactions too slow to maintain life Need them Cant increase temperatures/pressure in cells (fatal)

Enzymes Are Proteins

The enzyme binds to the substrates by its active site

The active site is a pocket formed by the folding of the protein where the substrates bind.

Enzymes Are Proteins

The enzyme binds to the substrates by its active site

The active site is a pocket formed by the folding of the protein where the substrates bind.

Active site

The active site involves a small number of key residues that actually bind the substrates The rest of the protein structure is needed to maintain these residues in position

How do enzymes work?

An Example

An Example
Sucrose + H2O

Glucose + Fructose

An Example

Substrates

Sucrose + H2O

Glucose + Fructose

Products

For a reaction to occur the sucrose and water would have to collide with enough energy to break and form bonds

For a reaction to occur the sucrose and water would have to collide with enough energy to break and form bonds This is the activation energy

Sucrose + H2O
+

Glucose + Fructose

Substrates

Products

Energy

Progress of reaction

Energy

Substrates

Progress of reaction

Energy

Substrates

Products

Progress of reaction

High energy intermediate

Energy

Substrates

Products

Progress of reaction

High energy intermediate

Activation energy

Energy

Substrates

Products

Progress of reaction

The minimum amount of energy needed to start the reaction, leading to the formation of a high energy intermediate = The Activation energy

High energy intermediate

Activation energy
Enzymes reduce the height of the energy barrier

Energy

Substrates

Products

Progress of reaction

Questions
Read page 57-60

1. Write a definition for the following:

Active Site Substrate Products

2. Explain how the structure of the protein is linked to its ability to act as an enzyme? 3. How does heating a mixture increase the chance that a chemical reaction Will occur? Why cant this approach be used in cells? 4. Write a paragraph in your own words describing how enzymes act as catalysts by lowering activation energy.