What is an enzyme?

Memory Hack 💡

Think of enzymes like something that starts the roller coaster halfway up the slope rather than starting at the bottom- It makes the ride start a lot quicker starting there than it would for it to have to start from the bottom and make its way to the top.

✏️ Notes 

Enzymes are catalysts! 

This means:

1. They aid in carrying out reactions→ meaning they “push” the reaction forward. 

- It's like when you have two friends who you know like each other so you push them towards each other a bit, like “come on get together already”. 

2. They do NOT get used up in the reaction

- Much like how you aren’t actually now a third in their relationship, catalysts don’t get used up in the reaction. 

3. They speed up the rate of the reaction

- "Like seriously, just get together already..."

4. However enzymes DO NOT shift equilibrium

- To stick with this example, by giving them each a nudge, you are not going to make them like each other more, this is something that must happen between them. 

5. Enzymes do not change ΔG

- Lastly, you are not doing the work of asking them on a date (then you really would be a third). However, you are being an aid in getting them to that point. 

Now that we know a bit about enzymes, we can look at how they function:

We can think of the transition state like the top of a roller coaster. There needs to be justtt enough energy input (activation energy, or ΔG with the arrows) to get it to the top, but once it's there, it's flying down the track. 

What enzymes do is make it so take the roller coaster half way up, so instead of having to go up that really big hill and make the long trek up, you are starting half way there (more or less).