Learn: Enzymes and Their Role in Biology

Welcome!Today we'll explore enzymes, their function, and how they support biological processes. Let's dive in step by step!

What Are Enzymes?Enzymes are proteins that act as biological catalysts, speeding up chemical reactions in living organisms without being used up themselves. They are crucial for processes like digestion and respiration.

How Do Enzymes Work?Enzymes work based on their specific shapes. Each enzyme has an active site, which binds to a specific substrate like a key fits into a lock. This forms an enzyme–substrate complex, enabling the reaction to occur.

Factors Affecting Enzyme ActivityEnzymes are sensitive to changes in temperature and pH. If conditions are too extreme, the enzyme can lose its shape, becoming denatured, and unable to function.

Temperature and Enzyme ActivityEnzymes work best at their optimum temperature, usually around body temperature (37°C). Higher temperatures can denature them, while lower temperatures slow down reactions.

Enzymes and DigestionDifferent enzymes help break down food: carbohydrase breaks down carbohydrates into glucose, protease breaks proteins into amino acids, and lipase breaks fats into fatty acids and glycerol.

Enzyme DenaturationIf enzymes are exposed to boiling temperatures or extreme pH levels, their active site changes shape, and they can no longer bind substrates. This is called denaturation.

Review Time!Great work! You've learned about enzymes, their functions, and factors affecting their activity. Now let's test your understanding with a few questions.

Well Done!You’ve completed the lesson on enzymes. Keep up the great work and remember how important they are for biological processes!