ENZYMES

Proteins which act as biological catalysts.

Speed up biochemical reactions – remain
unchanged at the end of reaction.
Mechanism of Enzyme
Catalysis
What is a catalyst?
 React in the enzyme-catalysed reactions are
called substrate.
 Produced at the end of reactions are called
products.
 It participates in reactions but is neither a
chemical reactant nor chemical product.

S P
S + C (catalyst) P + C (catalyst)
Thousands of simultaneous
biochemical reactions occur in
living cells.
Called metabolism.
Metabolism includes both
anabolism and catabolism.
Anabolism – biosynthesis of
complex compounds from
simpler substances, ex:
photosynthesis.
Catabolism – breakdown of
complex substances into
simpler ones, ex:
decomposition.
 General characteristics
of enzymes…
 Speed up the rate of
biochemical reactions.
 Not destroyed by the reactions
they catalysed.
 Effective in small amount.
 Can work in either direction –
reversible.
lactase
Lactose + water Glucose + galactose
General characteristics
of enzymes…
 Denatured by high temperatures
(above 40°C).
 Sensitive to pH.
 Extremely specific.
 Activity is affected by
inhibitors.
 Some enzymes require
cofactors.
Mechanisms of enzyme
action
Lock-and-Key Model of Enzyme-Substrate
Binding
(Emil

In this model, the active site of the unbound enzym

is complementary in shape to the substrate
‘Lock and Key Hypothesis’
• Each enzyme molecule has a
region with a very precise
shape – active site.
• The substrate molecule fits into
the active site like a key into a
lock.
• Form enzyme-substrate
complex.
‘Lock and Key Hypothesis’
• The enzyme then changes the
substrate either by splitting it
apart (hydrolysis) or linking
them together (condensation).
• Once formed, the product no
longer fit into the active site.
Let’s watch the
animation!
LE 8-16

Substrate

Active site

Enzyme Enzyme-substrate
complex
 Substrates enter active site; enzyme
changes shape so its active site Substrates held in
embraces the substrates (induced fit). active site by weak
interactions, such as
hydrogen bonds and
ionic bonds.

Active site (and R groups of

its amino acids) can lower E A
Substrates and speed up a reaction by
Enzyme-substrate • acting as a template for
complex substrate orientation,
• stressing the substrates
and stabilizing the
transition state,
• providing a favorable
Active microenvironment,
site is • participating directly in the
available catalytic reaction.
for two new
substrate
molecules.

Enzyme

Products are Substrates are

released. converted into
products.

Products