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Enzymes Are Specialized Proteins

  • Enzymes act as biological catalysts.
    • Therefore, they change the rate of chemical reactions.

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  • An enzyme’s structure allows only certain reactants (substrates) to bind to the enzyme at the active site (where the reaction occurs).

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Substrates bind to an enzyme at certain places called active sites.

The enzyme brings�substrates together and weakens their bonds.

The catalyzed reaction forms�a product that is released�from the enzyme.

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Factors That Can Denature a Protein

  • Proteins come in many shapes and sizes.
    • # of amino acids and how they interact determines the 3D shape and twist of a protein.
      • Shape then determines the function of the protein.

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    • If the amino acid sequence changes, the shape changes (denatures), and the function changes (usually making it useless).

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    • Factors that affect the proper folding of a protein: pH, temperature, and concentrations of chemicals.

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