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METABOLISM
Enzyme Metabolism
• enzymes help to break down large nutrient molecules, such as
proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, into smaller molecules.
• This process occurs during the digestion of foodstuffs in the
stomach and intestines of animals. Other enzymes guide the
smaller, broken-down molecules through the intestinal wall
into the bloodstream.
• Enzymes are specific biological protein that catalyze
biochemical reactions without altering the equilibrium point
of the reaction or changed in composition.
• The catalyzed reactions are frequently specific and essential
to physiologic functions.
General Properties of Enzymes
• Enzymes catalyze many specific physiologic reactions. These
reactions are facilitated by the enzyme structure and several
other factors. As a protein, each enzyme contains a specific
amino acid sequence.
I. Primary structure
- The resultant polypeptide chains twisting
Substrates
- the chemical species being observed in a chemical reaction,
which reacts with a reagent to generate a product.
In synthetic and organic chemistry, the substrate is the chemical
of interest that is being modified.
Substrates have specific shapes to fit into the active sites:
pH
- Each enzyme exhibits peak activity at narrow pH range (pH
optimum).
- pH optimum reflects the pH of the body fluid in which the
enzyme is found.
Cofactors
- Attachment of cofactor causes a conformational change of active site.
Inhibitors
- Competitive Inhibitors:
Shape at least partially fits in the enzymes active site
“ blocks substrate from binding.”
• Allosteric “different shape” Inhibitors:
Bind to a different location of the enzyme protein— the allosteric site
“active site no longer fits substrates”
Metabolic Pathway
• Sequence of enzymatic reactions that begins
with initial substrate, progresses through
intermediates and ends with a final product.