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SECTION 2.4: ENZYMES. WHAT ARE ENZYMES? Biological catalysts Proteins! Very large!!!. Enzymes lower the energy needed for a chemical reaction to occur ENERGY OF ACTIVATION!!!!. Enzymes speed up chemical reactions. HOW DO ENZYMES WORK? Each enzyme catalyzes only ONE chemical reaction
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WHAT ARE ENZYMES? • Biological catalysts • Proteins! • Very large!!!
Enzymes lower the energy needed for a chemical reaction to occur • ENERGY OF ACTIVATION!!!!
HOW DO ENZYMES WORK? • Each enzyme catalyzes only ONE chemical reaction • Enzymes are SPECIFIC • A particular enzyme can only speed up its own unique reaction • Why? Enzymes have a unique shape
Because enzymes are proteins, they can be damaged (denatured) by changes in: • pH • Salt concentration • Heat