Question

As a group, develop an analogy for the function of an enzyme that will explain the concentration graphs in Model 2 (graphs B and C)

Answer 1

An enzyme is similar to a key that opens a door. When there is more of the substance that the enzyme works on, the reaction happens faster. It keeps getting faster until it reaches a certain level, and then it doesn't get any faster no matter how much of the substance there is (Graph B). Similarly, when there are more keys (substances) that interact with the enzyme, the reaction happens more. When all the enzymes are busy, the reaction speed stays the same. In Graph C, when there is more of a certain substance, the reaction happens faster, like having more doors and keys. The analogy shows that enzymes work depending on the availability of substances they interact with, just like how you need keys to unlock doors.

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

Example: The function of an enzyme can be compared to that of a key in a lock.

1. Just like a key is specific to a particular lock, an enzyme is specific to a particular substrate. This means that each enzyme can only bind to and work on a specific substrate molecule.

2. When a key is inserted into a lock, it undergoes a series of precise movements to unlock the door. Similarly, when an enzyme binds to its substrate, it undergoes a series of specific chemical reactions to convert the substrate into the desired product.

3. The concentration graphs in Model 2 (graphs B and C) show the relationship between the concentration of the substrate and the rate of the reaction catalyzed by the enzyme.

4. In graph B, as the concentration of the substrate increases, the rate of the reaction also increases. This is because with a higher substrate concentration, more substrate molecules are available for the enzyme to bind to, leading to a higher likelihood of successful collisions and more reactions taking place.

5. However, in graph C, the rate of the reaction reaches a plateau or levels off at higher substrate concentrations. This is because all of the enzyme molecules are already bound to substrate molecules, and increasing the substrate concentration further does not lead to a significant increase in the rate of the reaction. This indicates that the enzyme is working at its maximum capacity and is saturated with substrate molecules.

6. This analogy helps us understand that enzymes have an optimal substrate concentration at which they work most efficiently. At lower substrate concentrations, the reaction rate may be slower due to limited availability of substrate molecules. And at higher substrate concentrations, the reaction rate may not increase significantly as the enzyme becomes saturated with substrate.

To summarize, the analogy of a key in a lock helps explain the concentration graphs in Model 2 (graphs B and C) by illustrating how enzymes are specific to their substrates and how the rate of the reaction is influenced by the concentration of the substrate.

I hope this helps! Please feel free to ask any questions if necessary. :)