1. Activity 1: What is an enzyme?

2. Role up!
Each person in your group will have a role. Using the list below assign each group member a specific job.
1. Time Keeper
2. Laptop handler
3. Question Manager
4. Speaker

3. Directions:
Read through the following PowerPoint and fill in your guided notes.
***Remember:
- EVERY group member is participating
- 6 inch voices
- EVERY group member is filling out his/her own guided notes packet

4. Enzymes What? PROTEINS that drive reactions
More specifically they are CATALYST that help speed UP reactions without using lots of energy
How?
- Enzymes bind to molecules called SUBSTRATES to either synthesize or break down other molecules
- The interaction between the enzyme and substrate(s) results in…
a. the formation of a more complex molecule
- or -
b. the breaking down of a molecule into a more simple one

5. Draw these in your guided notes!!
Synthesis: to make
Draw these in your guided notes!!
Digest: to break down

6. Structure of an enzyme
Enzymes have an active site where the substrate binds.
This active site on the enzyme is specific to the substrate.
Only a substrate with a complementary shape to the active site can bind to the enzyme

7. Draw this figure in your guided notes!
As you can see in the diagram above, the active site is where the substrate binds.
The shape of the substrate allows it to bind to the enzyme like a key fits into a specific lock.

8. Naming enzymes Enzymes end with the suffix -ase
Enzymes are usually named either
1. After the substrate (molecule) they bind to
- Example: lactase is an enzyme that breaks down lactose
2. After the type of reaction they carry out
- Example: hydrolases break bonds by adding water

9. Examples of Enzymes Enzyme Job Protease breaks down proteins found in
- meats
-nuts
-eggs
-cheese
Amylase
breaks down carbohydrates such as sugars and starches
found in…
- potatoes vegetables
-fruits snack foods

10. Discussion Questions
Directions: Discuss and answer the following questions with your group.
1. Are reactions better with or without an enzyme? Explain why or why not
2. Cellulose is a type of structure found in the cell walls of plants. Based on your knowledge of how an enzyme is named, what would you predict the name of the enzyme that breaks down cellulose is?
3. Making Connections: At the end of Unit 2, we discussed the theme “form follows function”. Do you think that this statement applies to enzymes? Why or why not? Use your prior knowledge and information from your notes to justify your answer.