McG-H - How Enzymes Work

Summary

Enzymes are proteins that accelerate chemical reactions within cells. Each enzyme has a unique active site that binds to specific substrate molecules. When these substrates attach to the enzyme, they form an enzyme-substrate complex. This interaction weakens certain chemical bonds in the substrates, facilitating the formation of new molecules. The product is then released, and the enzyme returns to its original shape, ready for another reaction. While the example demonstrates the creation of one product from two substrates, enzymes can also catalyze reactions resulting in multiple products from a single substrate.

Takeaways

• 🧬 Enzymes are proteins that accelerate chemical reactions in cells.
• 🔑 Enzymes have a special region called the active site that fits specific substrate molecules.
• 🧩 Enzymes work by binding to one or more specific molecules called reactants or substrates.
• 🧪 Binding occurs at the active site, forming an enzyme-substrate complex.
• ⚡ The interaction between the enzyme and substrate weakens chemical bonds in the substrates.
• 🛠 This weakening of bonds encourages the substrates to link, forming a new molecule.
• 🔄 A new product is formed as a result of chemical interactions in the enzyme's active site.
• 🚀 The product is released from the active site after formation.
• ♻️ The enzyme returns to its original shape and is ready to work again.
• 🔄 Some enzymes catalyze reactions that produce multiple products from a single substrate.

Q & A

What are enzymes and what is their main function in the cell?

Enzymes are proteins that speed up chemical reactions in the cell by lowering the activation energy required for the reaction.

What is the active site of an enzyme?

The active site is a special region on the enzyme with a specific shape that binds to particular substrate molecules.

What are substrates in the context of enzyme activity?

Substrates are the specific molecules or reactants that bind to the enzyme's active site to undergo a chemical reaction.

What happens when substrates bind to the active site of an enzyme?

When substrates bind to the enzyme's active site, they form an enzyme-substrate complex, which stresses or weakens certain chemical bonds in the substrates.

How does the enzyme facilitate the chemical reaction once the substrate is bound?

The enzyme stresses or weakens the bonds within the substrates, encouraging chemical interactions that lead to the formation of a new product.

What is the final result of the chemical interactions within the active site?

The chemical interactions within the active site result in the formation of a new product or products, which are then released from the enzyme.

Does the enzyme change permanently after the reaction is completed?

No, the enzyme does not change permanently. Once the product is released, the enzyme returns to its original shape and is ready to catalyze another reaction.

Can an enzyme catalyze different types of reactions?

Yes, different enzymes can catalyze different types of reactions. Some form a single product from two substrates, while others split a single substrate into two products.

What is the significance of the enzyme-substrate complex?

The enzyme-substrate complex is crucial for the reaction, as it lowers the energy needed for the reaction to proceed by stressing and weakening bonds in the substrates.

Why is the shape of the enzyme's active site important?

The shape of the active site is important because it must fit precisely with the substrate molecules. This specificity ensures that the enzyme only catalyzes the correct reaction.