Edexcel Biology Enzymes Revision Notes

• 1Enzymes are proteins that act as catalysts in biochemical reactions.
• 2Each enzyme has an active site that is specific to a particular substrate.
• 3Enzyme activity can be affected by temperature, pH, and substrate concentration.
• 4Enzymes can be denatured by extreme conditions, losing their functionality.
• 5The lock and key model and the induced fit model explain enzyme-substrate interactions.

Enzymes are special proteins that help speed up chemical reactions in our bodies. They work like a key fits into a lock, where the key is the enzyme and the lock is the substance it acts on. If the conditions are too hot or too acidic, enzymes can stop working properly. This means they are very important for keeping our bodies running smoothly.