Enzymes slides for moodle 2013
- 1. Catalyst A substance that speeds up the rate of a chemical reaction Enzymes are BIOLOGICAL catalysts Reaction could still happen, but not as fast! What enzyme works on
- 2. Catalyst Catalysts decrease the amount of energy needed to start the chemical reaction (activation energy) Why need? •Reaction too slow •Activation energy too high Compare these
- 3. Enzymes Proteins that act as biological catalysts Enzymes are NOT used up in a reaction Enzymes are very specific – Substrates and enzyme fit like “lock and key” Substrates are the REACTANTS PRODUCT
- 4. Enzymes Enzymes are affected by changes in pH, temperature, regulatory molecules, substrate concentration