Describe the chemical composition and configuration of enzymes.?

Question

Discuss the factors that modify enzyme structure and/or function.

Answer 1

Enzymes are a type of protein. They have four levels of structure. The primary level involves the sequence of amino acids. There are 20 amino acids in the human body. Each amino acid has an amino group, a carboxyl group, a hydrogen group, and an "R" group which is different for each amino acid, all attached to the alpha carbon. Depending on the "R" group, an amino acid can be uncharged, polar and uncharged, acidic, or basic. This plays an important role in the tertiary and quaternary levels.

The secondary level involves hydrogen bonding between the amino and carboxyl backbones leading to either the alpha helix or beta pleated sheet. The teritary level involves hydrogen bonding, electrostatic attractions, disulfide bridges and other types of bonds between the "R" groups of the amino acids leading to a 3-D shape. The quarternary level only occurs with two or more polypeptide chains and involves the same bonding found in the tertiary level.

Enzymes have an active site which when the substrate is attached decreases the energy of activation leading to a faster reaction.

There are several factors that can modify enzyme structure leading to an inhibition of function. (1) pH changes-extreme pH changes can create an imbalance in the amino acids leading to a breaking of bonds. (2) Temperature changes-temperature changes can break bonds leading to denaturation. (3) Salt levels-an increase in the presence of ions can interfere with the atoms and their bonds leading to denaturation. All these extremes lead to a breakdown of the quarternary, tertiary, and secondary levels which ultimately destroys function.

Moreover, the presence of inhibitors, competitive or noncompetitive, can also modfiy enzyme structure and function.

Hope that helps! G'luck!

Answer 2

Well how long have you got, there have been several thesises written on the subject. Enzymes are (for the most part) proteins, they are made up of a specific amino acid sequence which determines the protein shape and catalytic properties.

The answerer above me has made some good points one other way to alter enzyme function is to alter the amino acid sequence, (mutation) depending on the position and type of change this can have a major or minor effect on structure and function. Within most enzymes there are a few key residues which are directly involved in catalysis altering these would have a major effect on the enzyme activity. While changing some other amino acids, particularly if the change does not alter the charge or size of the residue greatly (e.g D for E).

The other thing that can alter enzyme structure and function is post translational modification (e.g. phosphorylation), which can occur within a cell (usually reversibily) in response to different stimuli (such as hormones) naturally controlling an enzyme's activity.

Well my answer is already to long but should get you started.

Answer 3

they are made up of amino acids. pH and heat as well as having their active sites filled can change their shape and make up

Answer 4

i hope this helps.

Answer 5

huh?