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Answer the following questions from your knowledge of enzymes - Leaving Cert Biology - Question 12(c) - 2018
Question 12(c)
Answer the following questions from your knowledge of enzymes. (i) Explain enzyme specificity with reference to the active site. (ii) What happens to the activity ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Answer the following questions from your knowledge of enzymes - Leaving Cert Biology - Question 12(c) - 2018
Step 1
Explain enzyme specificity with reference to the active site.
Answer
Enzyme specificity refers to the ability of an enzyme to catalyze only one particular reaction or to act on a specific substrate. This is largely determined by the shape of the enzyme's active site, which is a unique region that fits the substrate like a key fits into a lock. Only one substrate can bind correctly to the active site, allowing the enzyme to carry out its catalytic function.
Step 2
What happens to the activity of enzymes when they are placed in a medium outside of their optimum pH? Explain your answer.
Answer
When enzymes are placed in a medium outside their optimum pH, their activity is reduced. This occurs because extreme pH levels can alter the shape of the enzyme's active site, leading to changes in its structure. In some cases, the enzyme may become denatured, rendering it unable to bind to its substrate effectively.
Step 3
Step 4
Give two advantages of using immobilised enzymes.
Answer
- Immobilised enzymes can be reused multiple times, which makes them more economical and efficient for continuous processes.
- They can provide purified products more easily since they can be separated from the reaction mixture, preventing contamination.