General Biology 1

Quarter 1 – Module 8:
Enzymes: Structure, Functions
and Affecting factors
 What I Need To Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help
you master about enzymes with their structure, functions and affecting factors.
The scope of this module permits it to be used in many different learning
situations. The language used recognizes the diverse vocabulary level of students.
The lessons are arranged to follow the standard sequence of the course. But the
order in which you read them can be changed to correspond with the textbook you
are now using.

In this module, you are expected to:

1. Describe the components of an enzyme; and

2. Determine how factors such as pH, temperature and substrate affect
enzyme activity.

What I Know

Choose the letter of the correct answer. Write your answer on the space
provided before each number. Identify if the following statement is:

A. true B. False C. Partially true d. Partially incorrect

______1. Enzymes are the same as hormones

______2. Lysosomes contain digestive enzymes.
______3. Sucrose and sucrase are both enzymes.
______4. Enzymes are not able to withstand temperatures higher than 50°C.
______5. Enzymes are able to reduce the activation energy of chemical reactions in
the body.
______6. Enzymes speed up chemical reactions; however, they are NOT consumed
by the reaction.
______7. No enzymes are present in the mitochondria because there are no
chemical reactions.
______8. The optimum temperature for enzymes in the human body is 37 degrees
0
C.
______9. Cells create one set of enzymes that last for the duration of the cell's life
occurring there.

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1

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Match the terms to their description.

10. a portion of an enzyme to which a substrate can attach a. Active site

11. all enzymes fit into this class of macromolecules b. substrate

12. the result of a chemical reaction c. protein

13. a molecule that prevents an enzyme from working d. catalyst

14. a molecule that speeds up chemical reactions e. inhibitor

15. the chemical on which the enzyme acts f. product

What’s In

How do you think food is being digested mechanically and chemically? Why
is it body processes may be speeded up? Which substance do you think that sped
these reaction/ processes that occur in our body?

What is the relationship of substrate to an enzyme? What do you think will

happen if enzyme does not exist?

What’s New

Do you know that our body contains biological molecules

(typically proteins) that significantly speed up the rate of virtually all of the
chemical reactions that take place within cells?

Enzymes are vital for life and serve a wide range of important functions in
the body, such as aiding in digestion and metabolism. Some enzymes help break
large molecules into smaller pieces that are more easily absorbed by the body.
Other enzymes help bind two molecules together to produce a new molecule. They
are highly selective catalysts, meaning that each enzyme only speeds up a specific
reaction. (https://www.livescience.com/45145-how-do-enzymes-work.html)

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 Activity 1
Enzymes In Action

(https://www.troup.org)

1. A) Fill in the gaps in the following sentences using the words in the box below.

i) Enzymes are biological ……………… that speed up chemical reactions in

living organisms.

ii) Enzymes are protein molecules, which are made up of long chains of
………...……….

iii) The sequence and type of amino acids are … ……………… in each protein,
so they produce enzymes with many different shapes and functions.

iv) The shape of an enzyme is very important to its … ……………….

different catalysts function the same amino acids

B. Enzymes catalyze many important chemical reactions in the human body.

Name one of these chemical reactions.

……………………………………………………………………………………

C) Label the image below with the following terms: active site, substrate,
enzyme.

2_____
1____
3____

Lock and Key Model: Enzymes and their substrates are often compared to a
lock and key.

3
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 D. Explain what would happen if a substrate molecule with a different shape to
the enzyme came into contact with the enzyme’s active site.
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………..
E. Explain what would happen to a substrate molecule if it came into contact
with an enzyme’s active site that matched its specific shape. Use the space
below to draw and explain what would happen. Use the following terms in
your answer: products, enzyme, substrate, active site.
………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………….………
F. There are many factors that affect the rate of enzyme-catalyzed
reactions, including temperature. Name two other factors.
……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………
G. What would happen to an enzyme if the temperature and pH changed
significantly beyond the enzyme’s optimum level?
…………………………………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………..…………......

H. How would this affect enzyme activity?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………..…………………..…….……………………
I. A group of students decided to carry out an investigation to find out how
enzyme activity is affected by temperature changes. They put samples of
salivary amylase and starch into two test tubes. Salivary amylase is an
enzyme that breaks down starch into maltose. Its optimum temperature for
activity is around 37°C.

a) What do you think happened to the rate of reaction when they increased
the temperature of the first test tube to 37°C?
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
b) What do you think happened to the enzyme activity when the students
decreased the temperature of the second test tube to O°C?
....................................................................................................................
..……………………………………………………………………………………………….

3. Fill in the missing words in the following text about enzymes and digestion,
using
4. the words in the box below

Large Breakdown Digestive

Not all enzymes work inside cells in the
body.

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 a………………… enzymes are produced by
specialized cells in the pancreas and
digestive tract. From there, the enzymes
pass out of the cells, into the
b………………… and small intestine where
they come into contact with food molecules.
Here, they catalyze the c………………… of
large molecules, which are then more easily
absorbed by the body.

5. Write down the name of the nutrient next to the enzyme that breaks it down.
Use the words in the box below.

Fats sucrose starch proteins

i) Sucrase is an enzyme that breaks down ………………………

ii) Protease is an enzyme that breaks down ………………………
iii) Lipase is an enzyme that breaks down …………………………
iv) Amylase is an enzyme that breaks down ………………………

6. The stomach produces hydrochloric acid which increases

the acidity of the stomach to the optimum pH for stomach
enzymes to digest the food. However, digestive enzymes
found in the small intestine are damaged by strongly
acidic conditions. How does the body avoid damaging the
digestive enzymes in the small intestine with this strongly
acidic pH as the food passes out of the stomach?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………

7. Biological washing powders contain protein-, fat- and carbohydrate-digesting

enzymes to help remove stains. Name one other use for enzymes in the home

or industry.

………………………………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
……….

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Source: https://www.troup.org

5
What Is It

Enzymes are biological molecules (typically proteins) that significantly speed

up the rate of virtually all of the chemical reactions that take place within cells.

They are vital for life and serve a wide range of important functions in the
body, such as aiding in digestion and metabolism. (livescience.com/45145-how-do-
enzymes-work.html).

An active site is the part of an enzyme that directly binds to a substrate

and carries a reaction

Components of an enzyme

The enzyme active site is the binding site for catalytic and inhibition
reactions of enzyme and substrate; structure of active site and its chemical
characteristic are of specific for the binding of a particular substrate. The binding
of the substrate to the enzyme causes changes in the chemical bonds of the
substrate and causes the reactions that lead to the formation of products. The
products are released from the enzyme surface to regenerate the enzyme for
another reaction cycle.

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 https://
slideplayer.com/slide/5681913/

The Central Role of Enzymes as Biological

(Catalystshttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK9921/)
6
A fundamental task of proteins is to act as enzymes—catalysts that increase
the rate of virtually all the chemical reactions within cells. Although RNAs are
capable of catalyzing some reactions, most biological reactions are catalyzed by
proteins. In the absence of enzymatic catalysis, most biochemical reactions are so
slow that they would not occur under the mild conditions of temperature and
pressure that are compatible with life. Enzymes accelerate the rates of such
reactions by well over a million-fold, so reactions that would take years in the
absence of catalysis can occur in fractions of seconds if catalyzed by the
appropriate enzyme. Cells contain thousands of different enzymes, and their
activities determine which of the many possible chemical reactions actually take
place within the cell.

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK9921/

The Catalytic Activity of Enzymes

Like all other catalysts, enzymes are characterized by two fundamental

properties. First, they increase the rate of chemical reactions without themselves
being consumed or permanently altered by the reaction. Second, they increase
reaction rates without altering the chemical equilibrium between reactants and
products.

These principles of enzymatic catalysis are illustrated in the following

example, in which a molecule acted upon by an enzyme (referred to as

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a substrate [S]) is converted to a product (P) as the result of the reaction. In the
absence of the enzyme, the reaction can be written as follows:

S P

Various factors may affect the activity of enzymes, by either affecting the
frequency of enzyme-substrate collisions or by affecting the capacity for the enzyme
and substrate to interact (e.g. denaturation).

 Temperature, pH and substrate concentration will all influence the rate of

activity of an enzyme

Temperature
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 Low temperatures result in insufficient thermal energy for the activation of an
enzyme-catalysed reaction to proceed
 Increasing the temperature will increase the speed and motion of both enzyme
and substrate, resulting in higher enzyme activity
 This is because a higher kinetic energy will result in more frequent collisions
between the enzymes and substrates
 At an optimal temperature (may vary for different enzymes), the rate of
enzyme activity will be at its peak
 Higher temperatures will cause enzyme stability to decrease, as the thermal
energy disrupts the enzyme’s hydrogen bonds

 This causes the enzyme (particularly the active site) to lose its shape,
resulting in the loss of activity (denaturation)

The Effect of Temperature on Enzyme Activity

https://ib.bioninja.com.au/standard-level/topic-2-molecular-biology/25-enzymes/enzyme-
activity.html

pH
 Changing the pH will alter
the charge of the enzyme,
which in turn will alter
protein solubility and
overall shape
 Changing the shape or
charge of the active site
will diminish its ability to
bind the substrate,
abrogating enzyme
function

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  Enzymes have an optimal
pH (may differ between
enzymes) and moving
outside this range The Effect of pH on Enzyme Activity
diminishes enzyme
https://ib.bioninja.com.au/standard-level/topic-2-
activity
molecular-biology/25-enzymes/enzyme-activity.html
Substrate Concentration
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 Increasing substrate concentration will increase the activity of a
corresponding enzyme
 More substrates mean there is an increased chance of enzyme and substrate
colliding and reacting within a given period
 After a certain point, the rate of activity will cease to rise regardless of any
further increases in substrate levels

 This is because the environment is saturated with substrate and all enzymes
are bound and reacting (Vmax)

The Effect of Substrate Concentration on Enzyme Activity

https://ib.bioninja.com.au/standard-level/topic-2-molecular-biology/25-enzymes/enzyme-
activity.html

What’s More!

Independent Activity 1: Enzymes

(https://.pdst:ie)

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 Enzymes

Most reactions take place in a number of __________ which need to be

_________________________ if the cell is to function properly ______________ are

the most important controllers of cellular reactions

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Catalysts

_______________ speed up reactions without themselves being involved in the

reaction. ______________ are catalysts made of ____________ they speed up a

reaction without being used up themselves in the reaction. Because enzymes

are made in living things they are called _____________________ (or organic

catalysts)

We learned in the section on food that proteins are made when

____________________ join together. The function of a protein is decided not only

by the _______________ of amino acids but also by the way the protein

__________.

How enzymes work

Enzymes are not flat they have a 3D structure

Most enzymes are ________________ proteins.

Each enzyme has its own __________________________ that will only “fit” the

molecule that the enzyme is designed to work on. If the enzyme that breaks

down starch into glucose meets a fat molecule it _______________________ and

will not be able to work on it.

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 Enzyme Action

The substance that an enzyme acts on is its _____________

The substance(s) that the enzyme forms is called the _______

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 A Catabolic enzyme

Amylase converts ____________ to _____________.

Catabolic as it breaks a __________ molecule into

a __________ one. It is produced by

_______________in mouth and by the __________.

An Anabolic Enzyme

______________________________ forms and repairs DNA.

Anabolic as it coverts __________ molecules into more

__________ molecules found in all living things.

And This

DNA Polymerase is an enzyme that builds DNA using tiny molecules in our

cells. What is the substrate?_______________________________________________

What is the product?_______________________________________________________

Will amylase build keratin out of peptides? Why?____________________________

Is this an example of a catabolic or an anabolic reaction? Why?_______________

Enzymes work because they have the correct

shape to fit the substrate. They have a
___________________shape to fit the substrate.
When enzymes and their substrates meet and
come together they form an __________complex.

Inhibitors

Inhibitors attach to enzymes and _______________.

When this happens, the enzymes are said to be
______.

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 Enzymes at work!

Enzymes work best in certain conditions.

Factors that affect enzymes include:______________ ,______________

______________ concentration

Temperature

At very low temperatures ice forms, liquids become solids and

enzymes can’t work.

As temperature increases molecules start to ___________ and

bump into each other causing the rate of reaction to
_______________.

Human enzymes work best at ___________________ (____°C)

Plant Enzymes work best at ____-____ °C

Above certain temperatures enzymes start to lose their __________ the rate of
reaction __________.

When the shape is fully lost the enzyme is said to be __________________ this is
usually a ___________________ condition.

pH

pH scale goes from 0 -14

0-7 is ___________

7-14 is __________ (or ________________)

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 Enzymes work over a ________________ pH range

Most enzymes work at pH ____ - ____

Outside this they lose shape and get __________________

The ________________ or best pH is usually pH 7

An Exception!

Is our stomach acid or basic? __________________

Do you think there are enzymes in our stomach?

_________________________ is an enzyme in the stomach that
works best at pH 2!

Independent Assessment 1:

1. How does enzyme work?

_____________________________________________________

Independent Activity 2: More on Enzymes

(GCSE Biology. The Workbook. Higher Level.)

This graph shows the results from an investigation into the effect of temperature
on the rate of an enzyme-catalyzed reaction.

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https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Graph-showing-effects-of-temperature-on-enzyme-activity-in-
M-citrifolia-using-casein-as_fig9_268005233

1. What is the optimum temperature 13 for this enzyme?

2. Explain why the of an enzyme-catalyzed reaction is slow-at low temperature?
3. Describe what happens to an enzyme at temperature above its optimum and
give the technical term for this.
4. Professor Cuten wants to calculate the Q10 Value of an enzyme-catalyzed
reaction. The rate of reaction at different temperatures is shown in the table
below.
Temperature (0C) Rate of Reaction (cm3/s)
10 2
20 6
30 18
40 54
50 162

a. What does a Q10 value show? ____________________________________________

Q10 = rate at higher temperature

Rate at lower temperature
b. using the formula in the box above calculate the Q10 value of the reaction
c. What does this Q10 tell you about the rate of reaction?

5. Stuart has a sample of an enzyme and he is trying to find out what is

optimum pH is. Stuart tests the enzyme by timing how long it takes to break
down a substances at different pH levels. The results of Stuart’s experiment
are shown in the table below.
pH Rate of Reaction in seconds
2 101
4 83
6 17
8 76
10 99
12 102

b. On the grid draw a line graph of the results in the experiment.

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14
 c. What is the optimum pH for the enzyme?
d. Explain why the reaction is very slow at certain pH levels?

Independent Assessment 2:

1. Would you expect to find this enzyme in the stomach? Explain your answer.
2. Describe the two things that Stuart could do to make sure his experiment is a
fair test.

What I Have Learned

Explain how factors such as pH, temperature, and substrate affect enzyme activity.

What I Can Do
Nerve Gases

The nerve gases we hear of terrorists using are often

________________ that attach to enzymes involved in our
___________________________.

Assessment

Directions: Complete each statement. Write the letter of your

answer. (https://www.biologycorner.com/quiz/qz_enzymes.html)

1. Without the presence of enzymes, the reactions necessary to sustain life would
require ___________________ in order to occur.
A. high temperature C. larger proteins

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 B. larger cell D. smaller atoms

15
2. Based on the graph, which of the
following could be used to
increase the reaction rate beyond
point C?

A. increase the temperature

B. add more water

C. increase the amount of

substrate

D. decrease enzyme
concentration

3. The part of the enzyme where the substrate binds is called the ________________.
A. active site B. catalyst C. inhibitor D. large submit
4. When a piece of liver is dropped into hydrogen peroxide, the peroxide bubbles
vigorously as a result of what reaction?

A. peroxide being broken into water and oxygen

B. peroxide is destroying germs in the liver

C. more peroxide is being created by the liver

D. liver and peroxide are joining together to make a new protein

5. Some people cannot digest milk products

because they lack a specific enzyme. Which
enzyme would be used to break down the
lactose in milk?

A. lactase C. peroxisomes

B. maltase D. hydroxylase

6. On the image, which letter represents the enzyme?

7. On the image, which letter represents the substrate?

8. On the image, which letter represents the product of the reaction?

9. In what way could you increase the rate of the reaction as it taking place in
image C.
A. add more enzyme
B. add more substrate

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 C. remove enzymes
D. remove substrate

10. Enzymes are composed of what organic molecule?

A. protein B. DNA 16 C. fatty acids D. sugar

For 11-15. ( https://www.goconqr.com/en/quiz/7946110/factors-affecting-

enzyme-activity)

11. The main reason why rate of enzyme action increases with temperature initially
is ___________________________________________.

A. The kinetic energy of enzymes and substrates increases

B. Time passing, allowing more collisions to occur
C. The enzymes become denatured
D. More substrate is produced, therefore the enzymes become saturated

12.Why do enzymes work less effectively in extreme pH, or in very high

temperatures?
A. Enzymes become denatured.
B. pH far from optimum affects bond interactions in the enzyme.
C. High temperatures provide enough kinetic energy to break bonds in the
enzyme protein structure.
D. Enzyme tertiary structure changes.

13. The optimum temperature for enzymes in the human body is 37 degrees C.
A. True C. partially correct
B. False D. Partially incorrect

14. Cells create one set of enzymes that last for the duration of the cell's life.
A. True C. partially correct
B. False D. Partially incorrect

15. Enzymes speed up chemical reactions; however, they are NOT consumed by the
reaction
A. True C. partially correct
B. False D. Partially incorrect

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