Enzymes are organic compounds made of proteins that act as catalysts to speed up chemical reactions in the body. They help break things down or put them together. A key example is the lactase enzyme, which breaks down lactose for those who are not lactose intolerant. Enzymes work by having an active site that binds to a substrate and breaks it down. Several factors like temperature, pH levels, and inhibitors can affect the rate of enzymatic reactions if they cause the enzyme's shape to change. Humans need enzymes for essential processes like digestion to get energy from food.

4. What enzyme is a person who is lactose intolerant missing? www.delawarecountyirritablebowelsyndromespecialist.info Lactase! That is why their stomach hurts.

6. Here is an example of an enzyme breaking down food.

7. Enzymes in your intestines break down your food. www.mdconsult.com/.../0/0/10041/19823_en.jpg What does protease break the above proteins down into? Amino Acids

12. Rate of Reaction Temperature 0 20 30 50 10 40 60 40 o C - denatures 5- 40 o C Increase in Activity <5 o C - inactive Temperature ( degrees C )

13. If you melt your key , it won’t open your door! http://library.thinkquest.org/03oct/00923/smallpox.htm This is why you feel tired when you are sick.

14. Rate of Reaction pH 1 3 4 2 5 6 7 8 9 pH scale For this enzyme, there are two optimal pH ranges for the enzyme to work. It does not work in other pHs because the active site changes

15. Do humans need enzymes? YES Uses: Digestion To get our body energy Economic uses: Detergents Many fatal genetic disorders are due to the absence of just ONE enzyme.