Overview:
In this assignment, you will review how enzymes work and research some common enzymes and their functions. You will then answer discussion questions about the enzymes you researched.
Background Information:
- Activation Energy - how much energy is required to start a chemical reaction
- Reactant - substances that interact in a chemical reaction, listed on the left side of a chemical equation
- Products - substances that are the result of a chemical reaction, listed on the right side of a chemical equation
Enzymes are a type of protein found in all our cells that act as biological catalysts. A catalyst speeds up a chemical reaction by lowering its necessary activation energy. They do this by binding to the substrate or reactants of a chemical reaction. The substrate binds to what is called the active site on the enzyme. The active site of an enzyme is very specific and only works for a specific substrate. This is known as a lock and key, because only a certain substrate works with each enzyme.
Once the substrate attaches to the active site, the enzyme activates and catalyzes the chemical reaction. The energy still needed to perform the reaction comes from the foods we eat. After the reaction occurs, the products are released. The enzyme now has an open active site for other reactants to bind to.
Enzymes are affected by things like temperature and $\mathrm{pH}$ that can change their shape and ability to function. This is why our bodies need to stay at a certain temperature, and our stomach and blood must stay within a specific pH range. This allows enzymes in our body to work in their optimum conditions.
Assignment:
For this assignment, you will be researching some enzymes and answering some discussion questions about how they work.
1. Research the enzyme pepsin. Where is this found? What is its purpose?
2. Research the enzyme helicase. Where is it used? Why is it important?
3. Research the enzyme lactase. What is its function? What reactions does it speed up? What is Lactose intolerance?
4. Research an enzyme used in digesting a certain food. What enzyme is it? What food is it used for? How does it help with digesting this food?
Submission:
You will submit the responses to the discussion questions as a list or in an essay format. This can be done on paper or uploaded in a document.
Grading Rubric
