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
Energy barrier

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.
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