Enzyme digesting a molecule Enzymes Enzymes

Proteins are made of amino acids

Small proteins are called polypeptides. This is because the bond between amino acids is called a peptide bond.

Enzyme digesting a molecule Enzymes Enzymes are one of the many kinds of proteins that are made by cells. Enzymes are found in every cell, and they speed up chemical reactions inside the cell. Enzymes Enzyme digesting a molecule

Understanding Enzymes Activation Energy (EA) Every chemical reaction requires energy to get it started. This energy is known as the Activation Energy (EA).

Enzymes Enzymes speed up chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy needed to start a chemical reaction. Diagram by Fvasconcellos

Enzymes Enzymes speed up chemical reactions without being changed in the process. This means that an enzyme can be used over and over again by the cell. Before After

Enzymes Any substance that speeds up a chemical reaction without being permanently changed is known as a catalyst. There are many different catalysts used by chemists in the lab, but cells always use ENZYMES!

Enzymes The reactants (raw materials) that enzymes start with are called the enzyme’s substrate. Products Enzyme-Substrate Complex The substrates attach to the enzyme at its active site, then the enzyme directs the reaction.

Even the smallest cells have over 1,000 different enzymes inside! Because the active site is designed to attach to a very specific substrate, cells must have a different enzyme for every chemical reaction! Even the smallest cells have over 1,000 different enzymes inside!

Watch the short video over Enzymes.

The Enzyme “The Crime Fighting Catalyst” Speeding Up Your Metabolism One Chemical Reaction at a Time!