05. Enzymes

• Define the term catalyst as a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction and is not changed by the reaction

• Define enzymes as proteins that function as biological catalysts

• Describe why enzymes are important in all living organisms in terms of reaction speed necessary to sustain life

• Describe enzyme action with reference to the complementary shape of an enzyme and its substrate and the formation of a product (knowledge of the term active site is not required)

• Investigate and describe the effect of changes in temperature and pH on enzyme activity

• Explain enzyme action with reference to the active site, enzyme-substrate complex, substrate and product

• Explain the specificity of enzymes in terms of the complementary shape and fit of the active site with the substrate

• Explain the effect of changes in temperature on enzyme activity in terms of kinetic energy, shape and fit, frequency of effective collisions and denaturation

• Explain the effect of changes in pH on enzyme activity in terms of shape and fit and denaturation