Q1) What are Enzymes?
Ans) Enzymes are biological catalysts that are made by the living
cells. They are protein by nature (exception – RNA acting as
ribozyme). Catalysts are substances that accelerate chemical reactions
by providing an alternative path with a lower Ea and are very specific
catalyst. They have active site on which specific substrate bind and
are catalyzed. They have a specific range of temperature and pH on
which they work best and there action can be represented by the lock
and key hypothesis by Emil Fischer.
, Q2) Describe the factors which influence the rate of enzyme action.
Ans) The important factors that influence the velocity of the enzyme
reaction includes:
1) Concentration of the enzymes: As the conc. of the enzyme will
increase, the velocity of the reaction will increase
2) Concentration of substrate: As the conc. of the substrate (in
constant enzyme conc.) will increase, the speed of reaction will
increase until all the enzyme active sites are saturated and there
is no further increase in speed
3) Effect of temperature: Speed increase with the increase in
temperature as kinetic energy increases. A bell shaped curve is
obtained if plotted. Most enzymes work best at their optimum
temperature (35-40 C) but a further increase denatures the
enzyme as bonds holding the tertiary structure break and the
shape of the active site is deformed.
Ans) Enzymes are biological catalysts that are made by the living
cells. They are protein by nature (exception – RNA acting as
ribozyme). Catalysts are substances that accelerate chemical reactions
by providing an alternative path with a lower Ea and are very specific
catalyst. They have active site on which specific substrate bind and
are catalyzed. They have a specific range of temperature and pH on
which they work best and there action can be represented by the lock
and key hypothesis by Emil Fischer.
, Q2) Describe the factors which influence the rate of enzyme action.
Ans) The important factors that influence the velocity of the enzyme
reaction includes:
1) Concentration of the enzymes: As the conc. of the enzyme will
increase, the velocity of the reaction will increase
2) Concentration of substrate: As the conc. of the substrate (in
constant enzyme conc.) will increase, the speed of reaction will
increase until all the enzyme active sites are saturated and there
is no further increase in speed
3) Effect of temperature: Speed increase with the increase in
temperature as kinetic energy increases. A bell shaped curve is
obtained if plotted. Most enzymes work best at their optimum
temperature (35-40 C) but a further increase denatures the
enzyme as bonds holding the tertiary structure break and the
shape of the active site is deformed.
