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Enzymes

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Enzymes are proteins. They act as catalysts, allowing chemical reactions to take place by lowering the amount of energy needed. They therefore speed up reactions or allow them to happen at low temperatures.

 

Some enzymes break down substances (e.g. digestive enzymes).

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Some enzymes build up simple raw materials into more complex substances.

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Enzymes are very specific. The lock and key hypothesis explains this using the idea that each enzyme has a specifically shaped active site.

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The lock and key hypothesis explains why high temperatures denature enzymes.

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The lock and key hypothesis explains why some substances can inhibit enzymes.

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Some toxins inhibit enzymes by affecting the shape of the active site.

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Investigate how enzymes work using this model.

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26 March, 2008