Enzymes, which speed up reaction rates of various processes, work again and again because they are not actually involved in the reaction. Long live the enzyme! In an enzyme catalyzed chemical reaction, the reactant is called the substrate. The substrate fits into the enzyme at the active site, which is a cleft in the protein and the substrate's chemical groups are attracted to the enzyme's amino acids facing the substrate. Different enzymes have different capabilities of maintaining their internal environm
ent, even with changes in salinity, pH and temperature. Most enzymes have a decreased effectiveness when these are changed. Enzymes usually function best at moderate tempuratures (20-40 C). The concentration of enzymes present and the concentration of substrate present alters the reaction aswell. The more enzymes for that specific reaction, the faster it will take place. The more substrate, the increased amount of product production rises. Conditions to which enzymes preform under different reactions depends on the way they are found in nature. In other words, the behavior of enzymes in a reaction depends on what the enzyme is "used to", if you will, in nature. For example, the enzymes in a person's stomach work best under conditions with a significantly low pH.
ent, even with changes in salinity, pH and temperature. Most enzymes have a decreased effectiveness when these are changed. Enzymes usually function best at moderate tempuratures (20-40 C). The concentration of enzymes present and the concentration of substrate present alters the reaction aswell. The more enzymes for that specific reaction, the faster it will take place. The more substrate, the increased amount of product production rises. Conditions to which enzymes preform under different reactions depends on the way they are found in nature. In other words, the behavior of enzymes in a reaction depends on what the enzyme is "used to", if you will, in nature. For example, the enzymes in a person's stomach work best under conditions with a significantly low pH. Cell walls in plant cells are very hard to break down. The enzyme callulase, breaks down cellulose like a chram. Cellulose is the main structural component in a plan'ts cell wall. Animals such as cows that eat grass, have to break down cellulose. They contain a bacterium know as Bacteroide Succinogene which digests the plants cows consume, and produces cellulase. Why is it important to break down the cellulose in plants? The breakdown of cellulose, which is catalyzed by cellulase, is converted to glucose, one of the main food molecules for a huge majority of different cells.
How does glucose convert to a fuel, ethanol, that can power our present day automobiles? The process is quite simple. Cellulose (with cellulase to speed up the reaction) is made up of long strands of glucose, held together by cellobiose. The cellobiose is broken down by cellobiase, which then ultimately leaves single glucose molecules. The energy from the glucose molecules is used to make ethanol, or the alternate source of fuel. However, in the process, glucose is practically invisible, so glucose is mixed with P-Nitrophenol as the alternative substrate. Then, a stop solution (strong base) is added and this kills enzymes (such as cellobiase) and turns the p-nitro yellow, and the glucose is now visible. We are doing this lab because it is important in our world today to further study the possibilities of advancement of alternative biofuels. The biofuels will help replace depleting fossil fuels and other unreliable sources. My opinion is that more scientists from around the world should work together and compare results to create an effective method of producing the selective breed of biofuel that is more effective in production than the others.
Good intro, but there's no discussion.
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