Enzymes

What Are Enzymes? Proteins, with complex 3-d shapes Have an active site which can bind a substrate (reactants)

Help Chemical Reactions Occur Notice the enzyme is not used up in the reaction! Only a certain substrate will fit in the active site

How? Allows bonds in substrate to be broken more easily, with less input of energy

Another Example

Reaction Energy Diagrams Activation Energy

Activation Energy Input of energy required to break initial bonds and begin the reaction Even if reaction will release energy

Enzymes Lower Ea Make the transition state easier to reach

Endergonic vs. Exergonic

Specificity of Active Sites Enzymes only catalyze substrates with a complementary shape Any changes to the shape of the enzyme will disable the activity of the active site

Factors that can affect enzyme shape Cofactors/coenzymes Allosteric regulators Non-competitive inhibitors Environmental effects

Cofactors/Coenzymes Molecules needed for enzyme to take functional shape Many vitamins (coenzymes) and minerals (cofactors)

Allosteric regulation

Inhibition

Environmental Factors Heat, changes in pH and changes in salt concentration can all affect the bonds holding an enzyme together Enzymes usually have a narrow range of temperatures, pH and salt concentrations that they work well in Not necessarily neutral pH or no salt!

Denaturation Extreme changes in the environment cause the protein to unravel

Why Should I Care? Allow all of the chemical reactions required by life to occur at a reasonable speed and at a reasonable temperature Estimated to be around 75,000 different enzymes in the human body Examples of functions: Food digestion Synthesis of molecules Production of usable energy forms Majority of your genes code for enzymes, majority of genetic diseases are due to dysfunctional enzymes

Enzyme Song/Poem Write a song (or poem) explaining how enzymes function and can be affected by the various factors that affect its shape Can be a cover It would be awesome if you’d sing or record it  Solos, duets, trios and quartets are acceptable (no quintets or sextets)