ENZYMES AND METABOLISM Chemical reaction – a process that changes/transforms one set of chemicals into another. Chemical reactions always involve changes in the chemical bonds that join atoms in compounds. Reactants – elements that begin/enter the chemical reaction Products – elements that are produced by chemical reaction Energy may be either released or absorbed during…
An enzyme is described as a biological catalyst that speeds up the rate of a chemical reaction. In order for an enzyme to perform its given job, it needs what is known as a substrate to bind to the active site of the enzyme so that the enzyme can speed up the reaction of the…
The shape of a molecule determines many of its properties; For example: C4H10 is the formula for 2 separate molecules n-butane and isobutene Melting Point -138°C -159°C Boiling Point -0.5°C -12°C Enzymes—shape compatible with those molecules whose reactions they promote i.e. the enzyme sucrase breaks down the sugar molecule sucrose The shape of a…
Enzymes are specialized proteins that speed up chemical reactions (biological catalysts) Without enzymes, cellular chemical reactions could not occur fast enough to maintain life. Enzyme Activity: – enzyme binds to the reactants, called the substrate(s), of a chemical reaction – the substrate joins with the enzyme at the enzymes active site forming an enzyme-substrate complex…