Enzyme Lab Report

Enzymes are organic catalysts that speed up reactions that occur by lowering the activation energy of the reactants. By lowering the activation energy, the chemical bonds are weakened, thus the reactions are much faster than without the catalyst. Enzymes are composed of proteins which shape dictates the function of the enzyme. On the enzyme it contains a part called the active site where the substrate binds and the chemical reaction undergoes. A substrate is the chemical involved in the reaction. This fit between the active site and substrate is often referred to as a lock and key. The lock and key theory was first brought up by Emil Fisher in 1894, and it describes how specific the active site is. If the substrate is too large or small, and even the wrong shape, it will not bind with that particular active site. Since enzymes are highly specific, enzymes typically catalyze only one reaction. Another theory known as the …show more content…
Temperature plays an important role in enzymatic activity because it speeds up the reaction. However, if there is too much of an increase in heat, this can cause the enzyme to denature from its quaternary structure back to its primary structure. If the temperature decreases and reaches the enzymes optimal temperature, then the enzymes shape can be regained. Enzymes also have an optimal pH or pH range enhance the ability of catalytic reactions. If there is an increase or decrease from the optimal pH or pH range, the enzyme will denature and like temperature, it must reach its optimal environment (pH) in order to return back to its quaternary structure. Through experiments, if the concentration of the substrate increases gradually as the enzyme is kept constant, the substrate concentration gradually increases until the maximum velocity or Vmax is reached as shown in the image to the right. (Sadava,