BIOLOGY WORK

Biology work

Abstract

Enzymes are proteins that have specific pockets made by the folding of proteins' tertiary structure to carry out reactions. Every enzyme works at different optimum conditions. The rate of enzymatic reactions depends upon temperature, pH and ionic strength. The concentration of enzymes and substrates also affect the end result in the reaction mixtures.

Industries using enzymes require the maintenance of optimal temperature and ph to speed up the rate of chemical reactions. Due to the lack of equipment, the time constraint and expertise, it is impossible to determine directly, the structural deformities of an enzyme as a result of changes in the temperature. Therefore I decided to perform an experiment and deuce the structural deformity from the results that will be obtained. Hence the aim of my investigation is to investigate the effect of exposure of different temperatures on the molecular structure of an enzyme.

An investigation into the effect of different temperatures on the molecular structure of an enzyme

Rationale for the investigation

Enzymes are proteins, and their function is determined by their complex structure. The reaction takes place in a small part of the enzyme called the active site, while the rest of the protein acts as "scaffolding". The amino acids around the active site attach to the substrate molecule and hold it in position while the reaction takes place. This makes the enzyme specific for one reaction only, as other molecules won't fit into the active site - their shape is wrong(Ellen 2006).

Analyses of sequence- structure -function relationships in homologous proteins from organisms adapted to different temperatures have yielded important insights into the molecular basis of protein adaptation. Based on studies of this kind, a number of temperature adaptation mechanisms have been proposed. Comparative studies of evolutionarily related proteins are limited, however, by the many neutral mutations that will generally have arisen during divergent evolution. It is often extremely difficult to identify adaptive mutations against this large background of neutral ones (Betzel et al 1992). These studies are further complicated by the fact that it is not always clear which properties are directly subjected to selective pressure.

Every day cells in our body perform various tasks. Their job is to make substances essential for growth, development and the waste products are disposed off. They need highly specialized tools to perform these complex tasks. These tools are made up of proteins and are known as enzymes. They have an active site. This is part of the molecule which is folded into correct shape to bind to one of the reacting molecules that is known as substrate(Betzel 1992).

For a reaction to take place the reactants the substrates need to overcome the energy barrier, i.e. minimum energy required for the chemical reaction to take place. This is called activation energy. Enzymes speed up the rate of biochemical reactions by providing an alternative pathway of lower activation energy, ensuring the reactions can take place at the body temperature.

Enzymes are efficient catalysts, increasing the rate of reaction by 107 to 1014 ...