Learn: Enzymes

Welcome!Today we'll learn about enzymes. These are fascinating biological molecules essential for countless processes in living organisms. Let's start exploring how they work!

What are enzymes?Enzymes are proteins that speed up chemical reactions in cells. They act as biological catalysts, meaning they lower the energy needed for reactions, helping them occur faster. Without enzymes, many processes in life would be too slow to sustain organisms.

How do enzymes work?Enzymes work by binding to specific molecules called substrates. Each enzyme has an active site, which is shaped to fit its substrate like a lock and key. Once bound, the enzyme forms an enzyme–substrate complex, helping convert the substrate into the product of the reaction.

Factors affecting enzyme activityEnzymes are sensitive to temperature and pH. If the temperature is too high or the pH is unsuitable, the enzyme can become denatured. Denaturation changes the shape of the active site, preventing the enzyme from functioning properly.

Why are enzymes important?Enzymes play essential roles in digestion, respiration, photosynthesis, and many other processes. For example, digestive enzymes like carbohydrases break down starch into glucose, while proteases break proteins into amino acids. These smaller molecules are vital for energy and growth.

Specified practical: Investigating enzyme actionOne common experiment is investigating how temperature affects enzyme activity. For example, you could test the breakdown of starch by the enzyme amylase at different temperatures using iodine to detect starch presence.

Review Time!Great work! You've learned about enzymes, their functions, and how they are affected by temperature and pH. Let's test your understanding with a few questions.

Well done!You’ve completed the lesson on enzymes. Keep practising and exploring how enzymes function in different contexts!