Catalysts and Enzymes - 1.7

Enzyme Biology

In this course, Dr Matt Ivory (Cardiff University) introduces enzymes, covering topics 1.7-1.12 in the Pearson Edexcel GCSE Biology (9-1) Specification for Higher/Foundation Tier. We begin by: (i) defining enzymes as biological catalysts, and investigate their structure and how it relates to their function, including discussion of the active site (Topic 1.7); before (ii) understanding how enzymes are used to break down carbohydrates, fats and proteins (Topic 1.12); and then (iii) understand what happens to the enzymatic rate of reaction when substrate concentration, temperature and pH are all changed (Topic 1.8, 1.9); and finally (iv) demonstrate an understanding of rate calculations (Topic 1.10, 1.11).

Catalysts and Enzymes - 1.7

In the first mini-lecture, we introduce the concept of enzymes as biological catalysts, as discussed in topic 1.7. We begin by first defining the term ‘catalyst’ as substances that can speed up the rate of a reaction by looking at a reaction profile diagram with and without a catalyst. We begin to understand some of their uses that they can have in the body, and their characteristic specificity for certain reactions. To finish off, we learn about the structure of an enzyme, including its active site, and how a reaction proceeds with an enzyme and substrate to form the desired product.