Bio 4.1.3 by Jade Shepherd
Explain how enzymes act as catalysts for biological reactions.
Enzyme Lab
Below is an enzyme lab which shows the way things are broken down by the natural enzymes in our bodies. This lab also shows how each of the enzymes are affected by temperature and ph.
What is an Enzyme?
The definition of an enzyme is any protein that is produced by a living organism and functioning as biochemical catalysts. This means that they are in cells to make chemical reactions occur more frequently. An enzyme is made of thousands of amino acids strung together to form a specific shape, specific for each reaction.
How does an Enzyme Work?
In the image above, a reaction is occurring. Below are the steps to this process.
- Maltose begins to pair with it's specific enzyme
- The two connect on the active site, the place where the reaction occurs
- Maltose is split into two glucose molecules that float away
These reactions can happen both ways. Some enzymes bring molecules together while others separate them like in the image above. Enzymes are a vital part to our bodies because without having them, the processes that break down and put together these molecules would not happen fast enough to sustain life.