Enzyme Function and Applications

Enzymes are altered and cannot be reused after a reaction occurs.

The Lock and Key Hypothesis suggests that the substrate is modified to fit the enzyme's active site.

The optimal pH for most human enzymes is between pH 6 and pH 8.

Protease is an enzyme that typically acts on sugars.

A change in temperature typically decreases enzyme activity.

Amylase is used in detergents to break down oil or makeup stains.

Enzymes are non-specific and can catalyze a wide range of reactions.

Pepsin, which operates in the stomach, has an optimal pH of around 2 to 3.

An enzyme's catalytic activity is highest at 37°C in human body cells.

Increasing substrate concentration will always continue to increase the rate of reaction.

When an egg is cooked, its proteins remain unchanged.

Oxidation reactions involve the gain of electrons.

Redox reactions are always complementary and occur together.

Dehydrogenase is a type of redox enzyme that adds hydrogen to molecules.

High-energy electrons are necessary for cells to efficiently transfer energy.

NADP and FAD are coenzymes required by some redox enzymes during reactions.

Enzyme Function and Action

Enzymes are highly specific catalysts, only acting on specific substrates.
The substrate fits into the enzyme's active site, like a lock and key.
The induced fit model proposes the enzyme's active site changes shape slightly to accommodate the substrate.
Enzyme-substrate complex forms, the reaction occurs.
The enzyme is unchanged and reusable.

Enzyme Naming Conventions

Enzyme names usually end in "-ase."
Names are related to their target substrates, for example: proteases for proteins, lipases for lipids, amylases for starch.

Practical Applications of Enzymes

Detergents contain enzymes to remove various stains (e.g., proteases for blood, amylases for starch, lipases for oil).
Saliva contains amylase to break down starches into sugars during digestion.
Digestive enzymes break down large molecules in the stomach into smaller ones for easier absorption.

Factors Affecting Enzyme Activity

pH: Optimal pH ranges exist for each enzyme. Changes outside this cause enzyme denaturation (loss of function).
- Human enzymes typically operate in a pH range of 6-8.
- Stomach enzyme pepsin works at pH 2-3.
- Intestine enzyme trypsin works at pH 8.
Temperature: Increasing temperature generally increases reaction rate due to increased collisions between enzyme and substrate. However, above a certain optimal temperature (37°C for human enzymes), the enzyme structure denatures, decreasing activity.
Substrate Concentration: Increasing substrate concentration increases the rate of reaction until the enzyme becomes saturated, at which point further substrate increase won't affect the reaction rate.

Dive into the fascinating world of enzymes, their specific actions, naming conventions, and practical applications. This quiz explores how enzymes act as catalysts in biological reactions, their versatility in everyday products, and the factors affecting their activity. Test your knowledge on these vital biochemical agents!