Enzymes
ENZYMES
Enzymes help speed up chemical
reactions in the human body.
They bind to molecules and alter
them in specific ways.
They are essential for respiration,
digesting food, muscle and nerve
function, among thousands of other
roles.
Enzymes are built of proteins FUNCTION
folded into complicated shapes; The digestive system
they are present throughout the enzymes help the body break down
body. larger complex molecules into
The chemical reactions that keep us smaller molecules, such as
alive - our metabolism - rely on the glucose, so that the body can use
work that enzymes carry out. them as fuel.
Enzymes speed up (Catalyze)
chemical reactions; in some cases, DNA replication
enzymes can make a chemical each cell in your body contains DNA.
reaction millions of times faster than Each time a cell divides, that DNA
it would have been without it. needs to be copied. Enzymes help in
this process by unwinding the DNA
coils and copying the
A substrate binds to the active of an information.
enzyme and is converted into
products. Liver enzymes
Once the products leave the active the liver breaks down toxins in the
site, the enzyme is ready to attach to body. To do this, it uses a range of
a new substrate and repeat the enzymes.
process.
CATALYTIC EFFICIENCY
Enzymes can only work in certain
conditions. Most enzymes in the
human body work best at around
37°C-body temperature.
At lower temperatures, they will still
work but much more slowly.
Enzymes can accomplish in seconds
what might take hours or weeks
under laboratory conditions.
The "lock and key" model was first
DENATURATION
proposed in 1894. In this model, an Similarly, enzymes can only function
enzyme's active site is a specific
in a certain pH range
shape, and only the substrate
(acidic/alkaline). Their preference
will fit into it, like a lock and key.
depends on where they are found in
This model has now been updated
the body.
and is called the induced-fit model. For
instance, enzymes in the
In this model, the active site changes
intestines work best at 7.5 pH,
shape as it interacts with the
whereas enzymes in the stomach
substrate.
work best at pH 2 because the
Once the substrate is fully locked
stomach is much more acidic.
in and in the exact position, the If the temperature is too high or if
catalysis can begin.
the environment is too acidic or
alkaline, the enzyme changes shape;
this alters the shape of the active
ENZYMES
Enzymes help speed up chemical
reactions in the human body.
They bind to molecules and alter
them in specific ways.
They are essential for respiration,
digesting food, muscle and nerve
function, among thousands of other
roles.
Enzymes are built of proteins FUNCTION
folded into complicated shapes; The digestive system
they are present throughout the enzymes help the body break down
body. larger complex molecules into
The chemical reactions that keep us smaller molecules, such as
alive - our metabolism - rely on the glucose, so that the body can use
work that enzymes carry out. them as fuel.
Enzymes speed up (Catalyze)
chemical reactions; in some cases, DNA replication
enzymes can make a chemical each cell in your body contains DNA.
reaction millions of times faster than Each time a cell divides, that DNA
it would have been without it. needs to be copied. Enzymes help in
this process by unwinding the DNA
coils and copying the
A substrate binds to the active of an information.
enzyme and is converted into
products. Liver enzymes
Once the products leave the active the liver breaks down toxins in the
site, the enzyme is ready to attach to body. To do this, it uses a range of
a new substrate and repeat the enzymes.
process.
CATALYTIC EFFICIENCY
Enzymes can only work in certain
conditions. Most enzymes in the
human body work best at around
37°C-body temperature.
At lower temperatures, they will still
work but much more slowly.
Enzymes can accomplish in seconds
what might take hours or weeks
under laboratory conditions.
The "lock and key" model was first
DENATURATION
proposed in 1894. In this model, an Similarly, enzymes can only function
enzyme's active site is a specific
in a certain pH range
shape, and only the substrate
(acidic/alkaline). Their preference
will fit into it, like a lock and key.
depends on where they are found in
This model has now been updated
the body.
and is called the induced-fit model. For
instance, enzymes in the
In this model, the active site changes
intestines work best at 7.5 pH,
shape as it interacts with the
whereas enzymes in the stomach
substrate.
work best at pH 2 because the
Once the substrate is fully locked
stomach is much more acidic.
in and in the exact position, the If the temperature is too high or if
catalysis can begin.
the environment is too acidic or
alkaline, the enzyme changes shape;
this alters the shape of the active
