01 - 2.4 - Chemical Reactions and Enzymes

Reactions that release energy

occur on their own/spontaneously

Chemical Reaction

Process that changes the chemical bonds of molecules

Energy correlation to chemical reactions

It is absorbed/released during reactions.

Reactions that absorb energy

require an additional energy source

Example of a reaction that releases energy

Burning of hydrogen gas & combining with oxygen gas to produce water vapor

Energy release in hydrogen-oxygen-water reaction

It is released as heat, and sometimes as light and sound.

How do plants obtain energy?

They trap sunlight

How do animals obtain energy?

they consume animals/plants

Reactants

molecules that start a chemical reaction

Products

molecules that are the endproduct of a chemical reaction

Purpose of energy sources in organisms

To provide energy for chemical reactions

Activation Energy

the energy required to start a chemical reaction

Enzymes

biological catalysts that speed up a cell's chemical reactions

Catalysts

substances that speed up a chemical reaction WITHOUT being consumed during the chemical reaction

Example of an enzyme

carbonic anhydrase, the enzyme that changes water and carbon dioxide into carbonic acid and back

Types of chemical reactions handled by a specific enzyme

1

Enzyme-substrate complex

It is the process in how an enzyme handles a chemical reaction

Substrate

areas of an enzyme where molecules combine to start the chem reaction

Active Site

location in where the substrates cause a chemical reaction

How are active sites and substrates held together?

London Dispersion/Van Der Gaal Forces and Hydrogen Bonds

Activity of an enzyme dependence

structure of Active State

How does the structure of the active state change?

High Temperatures, changing pH

Optimal temperature for most enzymes in the human body

37 deg C, or body temperature