Introduction to Enzymes Notes

Introduction to Enzymes Notes
Enzymes: Proteins that speed up reactions by lowering their activation energy.

They are specialized molecules that bind to reactants called substrates and assist in
breaking and forming bonds which leads to a newly created product
Enzymes are necessary for the regulation of all life processes in organisms
They are very specific and have an active site that fits only one reactant or substrate; after
the substrate connects to the enzyme the bind between them tightens causing an induced
fit
Enzymes don't change during a reaction and can be used multiple times until they denature




Denaturation: A process that occurs when an enzyme's active site get deformed and loses
its shape which prevents it from functioning.
This can be caused by extreme changes in pH, temperature, ion strength and solubility
On occasion enzymes can renature and gain back its shape but it doesn't happen often
Rate of Reaction: How fast or slow a reaction occurs, impacted by catalysts and internal
factors.
Factors that Change the Rate of Reaction -