Enzymes: function, structure and specificity
I can explain what an enzyme is and why the shape of an enzyme is important for how it works.
- Year 10
- AQA
Enzymes: function, structure and specificity
I can explain what an enzyme is and why the shape of an enzyme is important for how it works.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Enzymes are proteins that act as catalysts, speeding up chemical reactions.
- Without enzymes, many reactions would happen too slowly to support life.
- Enzymes catalyse reactions essential to life, including digestion and reactions in photosynthesis and respiration.
- Each enzyme has a 3D shape with an active site that a specific substrate fits into.
- The lock and key model to explain enzyme-substrate interactions.
Keywords
Enzyme - A protein which acts as a biological catalyst.
Catalyst - A substance that speeds up the rate of a reaction without being used up.
Active site - The part of an enzyme where the substrate binds.
Substrate - The substance which is acted upon by the enzyme.
Model - Scientists use models as simpler representations of complex things and ideas.
Common misconception
That enzymes are used up in reactions, or that an enzyme can catalyse many different reactions.
Enzymes are not used up in the reactions that they catalyse, and that they can only catalyse one reaction, as explained by the lock and key hypothesis.
Equipment
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What are the monomers of proteins?
Q2.Proteins are used in the body for and repair in the body.
Q3.What is a catalyst?
Q4.Scientists use as simpler representations of complex things and ideas.
Q5.Where do consumers in food webs get the nitrogen they need to make proteins?
Q6.True or false? Photosynthesis and respiration involve a series of chemical reactions.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match each keyword to its meaning.
Q2.True or false? All enzymes are proteins.
Q3.Put the following steps in order to describe how an enzyme works.
Q4.What part of the enzyme is A?
Q5.Who is correctly describing the effect of adding an enzyme on the activation energy of an enzyme controlled reaction?
