PG. 30 - 33

Enzymes

What are Enzymes?

Life depends on sustained chemical reactions Reactions let cells make/store energy Reactions break down and reassemble molecules Reactions repair damaged cells Countless other functions that are essential for life

Enzymes are special proteins that regulate chemical reactions in the body

DO NOTCOPY

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What are Enzymes?

Enzymes are involved in nearly every biochemical process that takes place in the body (that’s a lot!)

eg. lysozyme

Enzyme Deficiencies

Even one missing or depleted enzyme in an individual can cause health problems

eg. lactase People who are lactose

intolerant lack the enzyme lactase which breaks down lactose (found in milk)

Intact lactose cannot be absorbed in the small intestine and instead makes it to the large intestine where bacteria feed on it

Enzyme Deficiencies

The bacteria make lots of gas which is smelly and uncomfortable and interferes with bowel movements

The solution? Lactase is extracted from other living things (eg.

fungi) and put in a pill so lactose intolerant people can enjoy milk products

Types of Biochemical Reactions

1. Anabolic reactions Synthesis (building) Assemble small molecules into large ones

(eg. making cell parts for growth and repair)

Types of Biochemical Reactions

1. Catabolic reactions Digestive (break down) Larger molecules are disassembled into smaller

ones(eg. harvesting nutrients from food)

How enzymes work

Enzymes have a unique shape that binds to a substrate (the molecule that the enzyme acts on)

How enzymes work

The substrate binds at the active site of the enzyme, where only it can fit

How enzymes work

The enzyme acts on the substrate and helps a chemical reaction occur more quickly than it would normally (enzymes are catalysts!)

SucraseCatabolic or anabolic?

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Pg. 33, #31 - 33

Fun fact: ~15% of your mass is protein.