module 1 studyguide enzymes and energy

Mechanism of enzyme action

Molecules at the beginning of the process: substrates.

Enzymes convert the substrates into different molecules→products.

Can be affected by:

• inhibitors: molecules that dec enzyme activity; drugs and poisons

• activators: molecules that inc activity

• temperature, chemical environment (pH) and conc of substrate

Enzymes

proteins that catalyze chemical reactions

Effect of the Temp and pH

Inc in temp will inc the rate of non-enzyme catalyzed reactions.

At temp 0°C, the reaction rate is really slow. As temp is raised above 0°C, the reaction rate inc, but only up to a point.

At a bit above body temp (37°C), the reaction rate plateau.

A similar relationship is observed when the rate of an enzymatic reaction is measured at different pH values

Mech of enzyme reaction

Lock and key model

Enzymes are flexible structures

active site is continually reshaped by interactions with the substrate as the substrate interacts with the enzyme

The amino acid side chains which make up the active site are molded into the precise positions that enable the enzyme to perform its catalytic function

Cofactors

INORGANIC METAL IONS

show a faster reaction because it caused a conformational change in the protein that allow it to combine with its substrate

Coenzymes

WATER SOLUBLE VITAMINS

organic molecules

Important for transportation of hydrogen atoms and small molecules from one enzyme to another

Oxidation

losing electrons

Reduction

gaining electrons