General Biology 2 - Enzyme Components Quiz

Study Notes

General Biology 2 - Grade 11, Quarter 1, Week 7A: The Components of an Enzyme

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Development Team: The learning activity sheets were written by Jeshrel B. Plaza, EdD, with editing by a regional team (Kevin Hope Z. Salvaña Abraham, Masendo Jeffrey Q. Apat, Antoniette B., Geolina KC Buloron, Norelyn Elladora, and Saddam Sani) and a division team (Irene F. Havana, Ivy Grace T. Coronel, Jessa May C. Antonio, Lara Mae B. Realista, Rey D. Arbolonio, Reynilyn L. Lepardo, and Josita B. Carmen). There is also a management team (Gilbert L. Gayrama, PhD, Asst. Schools Division Superintendent, Celsa A. Casa, PhD, CID, Chief Bryan L. Arreo, LR, Manager Edna E. Trinidad, EdD, Science Education Program Supervisor).
Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELCs): Describe the components of an enzyme and determine how factors like pH, temperature, and substrate affect enzyme activity.
Specific Objectives:
Identify the components of an enzyme.
Illustrate the components of an enzyme.
Determine how factors such as pH, temperature, and substrate affect enzyme activity.
Time Allotment: 4 hours
Key Concepts: Enzymes are biological polymers that act as catalysts, speeding up biological processes in living things, such as breathing, digestion, and excretion. The substrate is the reactant changed by the enzyme. The active site is where the substrate binds, and its shape determines the substrate. The product is the result of the chemical process.
Components of an Enzyme:
Active Site: The region where the substrate binds and aids in its conversion to a product.
Cofactor: A non-protein helper molecule needed for enzyme activity (ions or organic compounds, including vitamins or vitamin derivatives). Cofactors help stabilize enzyme structure and facilitate the catalytic reaction.
Coenzyme: A specific type of cofactor; an organic non-protein molecule that binds to an enzyme and helps it catalyze a reaction. Coenzymes function as carriers of specific functional groups or electrons.
Apoenzyme: The protein part of an enzyme; it's essential for enzyme specificity to substrates. Holoenzymes are active enzymes that require both apoenzyme and cofactor.
Characteristics of Enzymes:
Good Catalysts: Enzymes speed up reactions without being consumed in the process.
Reusable: Enzymes are not used up in reactions and can be used repeatedly.
Factors Affecting Enzyme Activity:
Temperature: Increased temperature generally speeds up reactions up to a certain point (optimum temperature) and then activity decreases as enzymes denature (lose their shape) above the optimum.
pH: Enzymes function optimally within a specific pH range, and changes outside that range can negatively impact their activity, even causing denaturation.
Concentration: Increasing the substrate concentration increases the rate of reaction until all available enzyme molecules are saturated and operating at their maximum rate. Increasing the enzyme concentration will also increase the rate to a degree.
Enzyme Applications:
Digestion: Enzymes in human saliva (amylase, lipase) break down sugars and lipids, while protease helps digest proteins.
Nature: Herbivores need enzymes (cellulase) to break down plant cellulose. Bacteria in their stomachs produce this.
Food Industry: Enzymes are used in manufacturing processes for dairy products, baked goods, and beverages.
Technical Industry: Cleaning products often use enzymes to break down dirt. Enzymes used to produce ethanol, help in cleaning products, and in paper production (removing ink, modifying starches, bleaching, and softening tissues).
Enzyme Inhibitors:
Competitive Inhibitors: Molecules similar to substrates bind to the active site preventing the actual substrate from binding.
Noncompetitive Inhibitors: Molecules bind to a different part of the enzyme (allosteric site) changing the enzyme shape, preventing substrate binding.
Enzyme Activators: Activators increase enzyme activity, as several enzymes need inorganic metallic cations such as Mg2+, Mn2+, Zn2+, Ca2+, Co2, Cu2+, Na+, K+. Compounds that act as prosthetic groups or stabilize enzyme structure and substrate complex. Anions are occasionally necessary.