Biochemistry 2288A Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Activation Energy, Enzyme Activator, Microsoft Onenote
17 Jun 2016
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Describe what an enzyme is and how it accelerates biochemical functions. Enzymes: biological catalysts, responsible for directing the ow of chemical reactions that is the basis for life. Majority are proteins, but some consist of rna or complex of protein and rna. Acting on only one or a few types of molecules to give some molecular product. It is the speci city and catalytic ability of enzymes that allows life to exist. Cause huge rate enhancements but do not affect the basic driving force behind chemical transformations. Between the initial chemical reactant and the product is always an intermediate form called a transition substrate . The transition state is at the high point between reactant and product. Enough energy (activation energy) must be input to raise the reactant to the transition state. Enzymes lower the activation energy by creating favourable environment for the transition state. Makes it easier to reach the transition state.
