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What determines an enzyme's function?

Updated: 8/11/2023
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11y ago

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All enzymes display specificity to different substrates. This means that each, individual enzyme has its own unique substrate to react with. Consequently this has become known in the scientific world as the 'lock and key' mechanism.

Each enzyme has an area called an active site, this is where a substrate bonds and reacts with the enzyme. The active site is shaped to perfectly fit the substrate and will not accept any other molecules. The binding of the correct molecule/substrate causes the enzyme to become active and perform its function. In this way enzymes can be switched on or off depending on the prescence or absence of their specific substrate.

Degree level explanation: enzymes posess an afinity to their specific substrate, the presence of said substrate in the viscinity of the active site causes the formation of Van Der Waals forces which bind the molecule to the enzyme.
Enzymes all have a specific site on them called an active site. This active site is SO specific that it will only bind to its particular substrates and nothing else (Some enzymes such as RuBisCo are so old that they have evolved to work on multiple substrates, however it's probably best if you ignore it as it is considered an exception). Changing the structure of an enzyme will mean that it can no longer function properly as it can no longer bind to its substrates and catalyze the reaction that was meant to take place.

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8y ago
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13y ago

Enzymes speed up chemical reactions. To do that they must attach to certain parts of molecules so that digestive juices can reach a place they would not otherwise reach. Thus an enzyme would be made so it can grab a molecule in a certain way so that it will expose the molecule to digestive juices and digest it. The enzyme would probably be made so that it enters the small intestine near the stomach. It is folded over in the acidic environment. As it reaches a more alkaline environment, it stretches out and aids in the digestion of any molecule attached to it. It reaches the large intestine to be recycled into the liver.

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11y ago

it is a kind or rectangleur shape that usually has a dent in it somewhere containing a necleus cytoplasm ect

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11y ago

The shape and size of the enzyme determines it's function because they're extremely specific. An enzyme will only work with one type of substrate.

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10y ago

the temperature determines the function

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11y ago

two

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Q: What determines an enzyme's function?
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Related questions

What determines an enzymes function and how many functions one enzyme have?

two


What does enzymes functions depend on?

The function of an enzyme is dependent on the shape of the enzyme. The structure and shape determines what the enzyme can do.


What term describes a polypeptide that is folded in 3-d structure and serve a purpose in living organisms?

Enzymes have this structure. The way that they are folded determines their function.


What determines the effectiveness of enzymes?

The temperature in which the enzymes are effects the effectiveness of enzymes. Enzymes work best at a temperature of 37 which is the body temperature.


What determine enzymes' functions?

The shape and size of the enzyme determines it's function because they're extremely specific. An enzyme will only work with one type of substrate.


Why must the enzyme exist in a specific type of environment in order to function properly?

Enzymes that are sensitive to changes in their physical or chemical environment, such as changes in pH or temperature will change their shape if placed in suboptimal environments. Most enzymes are proteins, and it's a protein's shape that determines their function. Change the shape, and the enzyme is denatured, and can no longer function for its purpose adequately.


What determines an enzymes function and how many functions does on enzymes have?

The arrangement of it's active site. Some enzymes just provide a place where two reactants can be in a protected environment for the reaction, some enzymes stress bonds of reactant to lower the reaction activation energy and some enzymes have catalytic properties due to the arrangement of the various amino acid R groups in their active site. One enzyme, one substrate(s) and one function. So, many different classes of enzymes. Very much so


Denatured enzymes are the same as?

Denatured enzymes are the same as enzymes that can no longer function.


The ____ function determines the lowest number in a range?

The MIN Function determines the lowest number in a range


What determines the primary function of a protein?

The way that a polypeptide folds to form the protein determines the proteins function.


What does it mean that enzymes are not changed when they perform their function?

It means that enzymes are catalysts.


Would enzymes function in a person's cells?

Yes, cells contain many enzymes which are able to function inside the cell.