Proteins & Enzymes

What are proteins?

• Proteins are organic compounds composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, & nitrogen– C, H, O, N

• Skin, muscles, catalysts

Protein monomers (building blocks)• Proteins are made from amino acids• There are 20 different amino acids

Amino Acid Structure

• The “R” group is what makes the amino acids different

• Different amino acids have different SHAPES and FUNCTIONS

Protein Condensation

• Condensation is adding two or more amino acids together.

• The result is a DIPEPTIDE & WATER

Peptide Bonds• The C-N bond is called a

peptide bond

• Peptide bonds are created during condensation reactions

Polypeptides• 3 or more amino acids• Usually long chains

Proteins

• 1 or more polypeptides make up a PROTEIN

Enzymes• Enzymes are organic molecules (proteins) that are

catalysts

• This means they speed up a reaction by lowering the activation energy– The energy needed for

a reaction to take place

Enzymes & Substrate• Enzymes have an activation site that a substrate

binds to• The reaction occurs, and the new products are

released from the enzyme

• Enzymes are unchanged, so they can be used multiple times

• Enzyme activity depends on many factors– pH– temperature

More abt Enzymes