topic 4: enzymes

proteins

one or more polypeptides complexed together to perform a specific function

what are the three types of proteins?

1. enzymatic

2. structural

3. immunilogical

enzymatic proteins

speed up chemical reactions (enzymes)

structural proteins

has a structural function (ceratin)

immunological proteins

antibodies

primary structure

sequence of amino acids in the molecule, the sequence is specific to the protein and its function

secondary structure

when the polypeptide folds either in an alpha helix or pleated sheet, the shap

tertiary structure

3D structure caused by hydrogen bonds, ionic bonds, and hydrophobic reactions

quaternary structure

when proteins form several polypeptides/subunits through hydrigen bonds and ionic bonds

catalyst

a substance that helps a chemical reaction to occur

enzyme

a special molecule that catalyze biochemical reactions, these are mainly proteins

enzyme process step 1

active site is avaliable and clear

enzyme process step 2

substrate binds to the active site with an induced fit created by hydrogen and ionic bonds

enzyme process step 3

substrate is converted into products

enzyme process step 4

substrate and bonds are released

what affects the rate of reactions?

1. an abundance of substrate (you may not have enough catalysts)

2. temperature (speeds it up until the point of denaturalization)

3. enzyme availability (again you may need more but not have enough)

4. cofactors (?)

5. inhibitors (molecules will sometimes block or alter the shape of the active site)

6. pH (extremely low or high pH causes denaturalization)

7. salinity/salt concentration (iondipole bonds can disrupt the hydrogen bonds associated with the active site bonding