A Biological Catalyst

A Biological Catalyst

A Biological catalyst is a catalyst that is produced organically. In

other words, a cell makes it. It is usually a protein or steroid

molecule that works to catalyse a specific reaction. For example,

amylase is a biological catalyst. Biological catalysts are called

enzymes. Reactions take energy to get them started. This energy is

called the activation energy. Enzymes catalyse reactions inside

organisms. A catalyst is a molecule

that acts as a matchmaker, bringing together the chemicals of the

reaction, and getting them together. Just like a matchmaker of olden

days, it is not actually involved in the reaction – the husband and

wife get married, and the matchmaker is free to go and match up some

other couples. (A catalyst can also function as a divorce agent,

splitting molecules apart, not only a marriage agent.) Just like a

couple found it easier to get together with a matchmaker, just so the

molecules in a reaction get together faster with an enzyme, or

catalyst.

A catalyst is said to "lower the activation energy" of the reaction –

it lowers the amount of effort needed to get the reaction going, just

like a matchmaker lowers the energy needed to get a couple

together.

Amylase is an enzyme that breaks starch down into simpler molecules.

While the food is chewed, salivary amylase is released by the salivary

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...he enzyme won't work.

(2) ACTIVATORS:

Sometimes you need an enzyme to work faster and your body creates an

activator. Other times you might eat something that acts as an

activator. Activators make enzymes work harder and faster. If you're

running in a race and you need more energy. Get those enzymes to work!

(3) PH LEVELS:

In the same way that temperature can change the shape of proteins, the

acidity of the environment does the same thing. Remember that the pH

is a measure of acidity?

(4) INHIBITORS:

These are the opposite of activators. Inhibitors either slow down or

stop the activity of an enzyme. They often bond to the protein and the

shape changes. Remember - When the shape changes, the enzyme will not

work the same way. A nasty example of an inhibitor is snake venom or

maybe nerve gas from World War I.