Summary
Summary Chemistry Alevel Unit 3.3.13 - Enzymes Notes
- Course
- Institution
Chemistry Alevel Unit 3.3.13 - Enzymes Notes
[Show more]
Seller
Follow
ramiriam
Reviews received
Content preview
EnzymesEnzymes are biological catalysts which speed up chemical reactions without being used up or
changed. They are globular proteins where the enzymes function is critical to its active site
which it where the substrate binds.
The active site is usually a hollow in the globular structure where the substrate can bond to the
amino acid side chains through a variety of interactions: hydrogen, van der waals, permanent
dipole-dipole and ionic bonding.
The interactions need to be strong enough to hold the substrate for long enough for the
enzyme catalysed reaction to occur - but weak enough so that the product can be released.
The 'Lock and Key Model' is used to explain the specificity of an enzyme.
The active sites of enzymes are stereospecific as they only work on one enantiomer of a
substrate. If the substrate is chiral the other enantiomer would not fit and no enzyme-substrate
complexes would be formed.
Inhibitors and Drugs
Drugs bind to receptors using intermolecular forces or ionic bonds. The stronger the interaction
the more effective the drug activity is.
For example, bacterial cells are surrounded by a cell wall made of a murein. The antibiotic
penicillin inhibits the enzymes that produce the cross-links destroying the polymer chains. The
cell wall bursts causing the bacteria to be destroyed.
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller ramiriam. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $4.50. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
Can Stuvia be trusted?
4.6 stars on Google & Trustpilot (+1000 reviews)
52510 documents were sold in the last 30 days
Founded in 2010, the go-to place to buy study notes for 14 years now