BiologyCode 9700
Mode of action of enzymes
What this topic asks you to be able to do
- state that enzymes are globular proteins acting as catalysts, and that some (intracellular enzymes) work within cells while others (extracellular enzymes) are secreted and work outside cells
- explain how enzymes act (their mode of action), referring to the active site, formation of an enzyme–substrate complex, the way activation energy is lowered and why enzymes are specific, including both the lock-and-key and the induced-fit hypotheses
- investigate how far enzyme-catalysed reactions have progressed by measuring the rates at which products form when using catalase and the rates at which substrate disappears when using amylase
- outline how a colorimeter can be employed to track enzyme-catalysed reactions which involve changes in colour