SUMMARY
Speed, rate and Time
SPEED RATE TIME
a. Reaction is Faster/Quicker Higher/increases Shorter
b. Reaction is Slower Lower/decreases Longer
ENZYMES
An enzyme is a biological catalyst made from PROTEINS.
Enzymes speed the rate of reactions. They have a small area on their surface called the ACTIVE
site. An active site is where a substrate (substance) attaches or fits.
NOTE:
When the substrate joins up with active site the activation energy is lowered. This is the minimum
energy required to start a reaction allowing products to be formed easily and quickly.
The Table below shows the differences between biological catalyst and other catalyst.
BIOLOGICAL CATALYST OTHER CATALYSTS
Are specific. This means they can only act on One catalyst may be used in many different
one specific substrate. reactions.
e.g Salivary amylase only digest starch
They can be affected by very high Other catalysts can speed reactions at
and low temperatures. very high temperature .
This means they act best at e.g. During the formation of Sulphuric
temperature around 370C.It is called acid, Vanadium (V) Oxide is used at
the OPTIMUM TEMPERATURE. temperature of about 400oC.
Note: At high temperatures , enzymes get This means they are not affected by heat.
DENATURED.
Most are sensitive to very acidic and They are not affected by pH.
basic environment since they get
denatured./ Affected by pH.
They act best in a NEUTRAL
SOLUTION/ pH 7.
Enzyme pepsin can act best in acidic
environment.
NOTE THE FOLLOWING:
Optimum Temperature: The temperature at which an enzyme act best ( 37 oC).
Denaturation: When the active site of an enzyme is destroyed such that a substrate is unable to fit.
Optimum pH: The pH at which an enzyme act best (Neutral solution, pH 7).
USES OF ENZYMES
a. BAKING
Enzymes are used in baking.
For example : Enzyme called Zymase present in YEAST makes yeast cells to respire in the
absence of oxygen very fast(Anaerobically).
This produces Carbon dioxide and Ethanol(Alcohol).
Bubbles of carbon dioxide makes DOUGH to rise.
The process is called FERMENTATION.
Yeast
Sugar ---------------------------Alcohol + Carbon dioxide
C6H12O6(aq) ------------------------2C2H5OH(aq) + 2CO2(g)
b. BREWING
During Fermentation ETHANOL (Alcohol) is produced. It obtained from the mixture through
FRACTIONAL DISTILLATION.
Yeast
Sugar ---------------------------Alcohol + Carbon dioxide
C6H12O6(aq) ------------------------2C2H5OH(aq) + 2CO2(g)
c. Make dairy products such YOGHURT, CHEESE AND SOUR MILK (Madila).
d. CHEMICAL INDUSTRY TO MAKE WASHING POWDERS.
e.g some washing detergents contain enzymes that break down blood or oil stains in clothes.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF THE EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON ENZYME
CATALYSED REACTION
a. Refrigeration/Freezing(decreasing temperature)
At low temperature the process of rotting /Decay is slowed down because enzymes act best
at temperature around 370C.
e.g meat can be kept frozen in refrigerators at -20 oC for few weeks. If left at room
temperature the meat will go bad in less than 12 hours.
b. Cooking(increasing temperature),
At high temperatures enzymes become denatured and will be unable to speed the process of
ROTTING.
EXPLOSIVE COMBUSTIONS WITH FINE POWDERS
An explosion is an extremely fast reaction which is dangerous to control. It is often a
combustion reaction (EXORTHEMIC).
Explosions may occur in:
a. Mines with combustible gases such as natural gas (Methane).
The gases may be coming out of the earth crust and burn easily. The concentration of
such gases is quite high underground. Hence on ignition a very fast reaction occurs
leading to and EXPLOSION.
b. Coal mines or any industries where coal is mined give out coal dust.
Coal dust catches fire easily due to a large surface area. When it is in a form of fine
powder it burns easily or rate of combustion is high.
N/B: The larger the surface area the faster the rate of combustion.
c. Flour mills (where flour is made) e.g. Bolux in Ramotswa.
Just like coal dust, flour in a form of a powder and burns easily.
NOTE:
In such places the sign “NO SMOKING” is written.
