Enzymes:

catalytic Proteins
Enzymes

■ Enzymes speed up chemical

reactions by lowering the
activation energy.
How important are enzymes?

All biological processes need enzymes to

work. These include:
■ Synthesis of new macromolecules
■ Breaking down molecules (catalysis)
■ Making energy for the cell (enzymes are
involved in all steps of cell respiration
ending with formation of ATP)
■ Participate in mitosis by pulling
chromosomes apart, etc.
Catalysts and Enzymes

Enzymes are
catalysts found in all
living things. They
help to speed up the
process of a
chemical reaction.
Reactions and Energy:
Exergonic
■ This is an
exergonic reaction
■ Energy is being
released in this reaction
■ Note that the energy of
the reactants is higher
than the products
Reactions and Energy:
Endergonic
■ This is an
endergonic reaction
■ Energy is being
absorbed in this
reaction
■ Note that the energy of
the reactants is lower
than the products
Enzymes are proteins

■ An enzyme can be the specific helper to

a specific reaction.
■ Each enzyme needs to be the right shape for the job.
■ Enzyme names are typically based on the reaction they
occur in. They end with the suffix “-ase.”
■ Sucrase breaks down sucrose.
■ Proteases breakdown proteins.
■ Lipases breakdown lipids.
■ DNA polymerase builds DNA.
Enzymes aren’t used up
Enzymes are not changed by the reaction!
– used only temporarily
– re-used again for the same reaction with other molecules
– very little enzyme needed to help in many reactions
It’s shape that matters!
Lock & Key model
– shape of protein allows enzyme & substrate
to fit
– specific enzyme for each specific reaction
Enzyme vocabulary

■ Enzyme
– The helper protein molecule
■ Substrate
– The molecule that enzymes work on
■ Products
– What the enzyme helps produce from the reaction
■ Active site
– Part of the enzyme that substrate molecule fits into
What affects enzyme action

■ Correct protein structure

– correct order of amino acids
– specific shape of the enzyme and especially the active
site
■ Temperature
■ pH (acids & bases)
Temperature Effect on Rates of
Enzyme Activity
Optimum temperature
■ human enzymes: 35-40 C
(body temp = 37 C)

High temperature
■ >60 C
■ Denatures the protein = unfold = lose shape

Lower temperature
■ molecules move slower
■ fewer collisions between enzyme & substrate
pH effect on rates of enzyme
activity
 changes in pH changes protein shape
 Most human enzymes operate at pH
6-8
 Optimal pH depends on enzyme
properties
 pepsin (stomach) = pH 3
 trypsin (small intestines) = pH 8
Summary

■ Enzymes are essential for biological

processes
■ Enzymes are totally (100%) dependent on
protein structure
■ Enzymes are affected by changes in
temperature and pH
■ Enzymes convert substrates to products
■ Enzymes are reusable