Enzymes: Structure and Function

Cornell Notes Title your notes Enzymes: Structure and Function Notes Add short topics to the left margin, write your notes in the right margin. After the notes are filled in, re-read your notes and write a 2-3 sentence summary at the end of the last page.

What is an enzyme? A protein, made out of amino acids. A catalyst (something that speeds up a chemical reaction)

What does an enzyme do? An enzyme speeds up chemical reactions. An enzyme lowers the activation energy of a reaction (the energy required for the reaction to take place)

Enzymes are picky! Enzymes are shaped so that they can only bind to and affect one or one set of molecules. The molecule(s) that an enzyme can bind to is called its substrate.

The area on an enzyme where it can bind to the substrate is called the active site.

The enzyme then allows a reaction to take place. If the reaction is one that breaks the molecule into pieces (hydrolysis, for example) it is called catabolism.

If the reaction is one that bonds two or more molecules to make a new larger molecule (dehydration synthesis, for example) it is called anabolism.

After the enzme has changed the substrate (broken it up or built something new) the resulting molecule is called the product.

Draw and label the enzyme-substrate complex in your notes:

Important: Enzymes are reusable Important: Enzymes are reusable. They can do their job over and over again.

Enzymes have an optimal temperature and pH. The temperature that an enzyme works best at is it’s optimal temperature.

The pH that an enzyme works best at is it’s optimal pH. For example: Stomach enzymes work best at pH 2-3 (acidic) Intestine enzymes work best at pH 7-8 (basic)

Do you know anyone who has lactose intolerance? Lactose is a sugar found in dairy products. If you have lactose intolerance your body either lacks or produces reduced amounts of lactase. Lactase is the enzyme that breaks down lactose. ose = sugar ase = enzyme