Enzymes

Enzymes and Their Functions

• Enzymes catalyze biochemical reactions, allowing them to occur at a faster rate and with greater efficiency.
• Enzymes are crucial for the well-functioning of cells because they facilitate metabolic reactions, enabling cells to carry out essential functions.

The Active Site

• The active site is a specific region on an enzyme's surface that binds to substrate molecules, positioning them for catalysis.
• The active site is lined with amino acids, which create a unique shape that allows only specific substrate molecules to bind.

Substrate and Substrate Specificity

• A substrate molecule is a reactant that binds to the active site of an enzyme, facilitating a biochemical reaction.
• Enzymes exhibit substrate specificity, meaning they are highly selective in the substrate molecules they bind to and catalyze.

Enzymatic Efficiency and Reactions

• The efficiency of enzymes is contributed to by their unique 3D structure, which allows them to bind to specific substrate molecules and position them for catalysis.
• Enzymatic reactions occur in the cellular environment, often within specific organelles or membranes.

Modulating Enzymatic Activity

• The activity of enzymes can be modulated by modifying the active site through processes such as phosphorylation, allosteric regulation, or inhibition.
• The catalytic activity of enzymes depends on the precise fit between the active site and the substrate molecule, allowing for efficient catalysis.

Enzymatic Properties

• The property of enzymes that allows them to increase the reaction rate in mild conditions is their ability to lower the activation energy required for a reaction to occur.
• This property enables enzymes to facilitate reactions at a faster rate and with greater efficiency than would occur without catalysis.