Biochemistry: Enzyme Functions and Reactions

Enzyme Specificity

• Enzymes are highly specific, meaning they only react with a particular substrate.

Enzyme Reactions

• Catabolic reactions break down large substrates into smaller products, releasing energy.
  • Example: Amylase breaks down starch.
• Anabolic reactions build larger products from smaller substrates, requiring energy.
  • Example: Photosynthesis.

Bioprocessing & Bioreactors

• Bioprocessing uses enzyme reactions to produce products.
• Bioreactors are vessels where living organisms or their products are used to create products.

Immobilized Enzymes

• Immobilized enzymes are enzymes attached to each other or an inert material.

Metabolism

• Metabolism refers to the sum of all chemical reactions in the body.

Energy Sources

• Primary energy source is solar energy.
• Cellular energy comes from the bonds of biomolecules.

Enzymes: Structure & Function

• Enzymes are biological catalysts made of protein.
• Catalysts speed up reactions without being consumed in the process.
• Enzymes are produced by ribosomes.
• The optimal temperature for most enzymes is 37°C.
• When enzymes get too hot, they denature, changing shape and becoming inactive.
• When enzymes get too cold, they lose energy, slow down, and their activity decreases.
• The optimal pH for enzymes is generally around 7.
• Extreme pH levels can denature enzymes.

Immobilizing Enzymes

• Physical methods: Trapping enzymes in a gel.
• Chemical methods: Bonding enzymes to a support material.

Advantages of Immobilized Enzymes:

• Easier to reuse.
• More stable.
• Can remain in the bioreactor.

Uses of Immobilized Enzymes

• Converting glucose to fructose.
• Converting lactose to glucose.

Factors Affecting Enzyme Activity

• Shape: The shape of an enzyme is crucial for its function as it determines which substrate it can bind to.
• Speed: The speed at which an enzyme works is influenced by factors such as temperature and pH.

This quiz covers the fundamental concepts of enzyme specificity, the types of enzyme reactions, including catabolic and anabolic processes, and the role of bioprocessing and bioreactors. Additionally, it explores the structure and function of enzymes, as well as the metabolism and energy sources involved in these biochemical processes.