AP Bio 3.1 Enzymes

life processes are complex chemical reactions that occur with enzymes

enzyme: a protein that acts as a biological catalyst, mediating reactions in living things

• catalyst: any type of substance that speeds up a reaction

  • enzymes ‘speed up’ reactions by lowering activation energy

    • activation energy: energy required for a reaction to begin

• used to make sure reactions happen when and where they are supposed to

• an enzyme’s structure is crucial to its function

• enable living things’ metabolism by allowing cells to ‘choose’ when reactions take place

  • metabolism: all chemical reactions

• can only catalyze 1 reaction

  • the shape and charge of the active site must be compatible with the intended substrate

enzyme-substrate complex

• substrates are the reactants

• substrates bind to the active site of the enzyme

• enzyme lowers the activation energy and enables a reaction to happen

• result are the products