This week in AP Biology we learned about enzymes. They are biological catalysts, and they all end in -ase (amylase, etc.). Enzymes are similar to a lock and a key; only a certain substrate can bind with an enzyme’s active site. There is also an allosteric site, and when an inhibitor binds with this, it changes the shape of the active site, so that it cannot bind with the substrate anymore.

There are a few ways to increase the rate of the reaction:

• Increase the temperature at which the reaction is occurring
• Increase the substrate concentration
• Increase the concentration of enzymes
• Add co-factors (inorganic molecules that help enzymes [vitamins and minerals])

Sources:

Enzyme Image