20) Mechanisms of Enzyme Activity. Critical Thinking Questions 2 & 3.

Enzymes- are globular proteins that act as biological catalysts. Catalysts are substances that regulate and accelerate the rate of biochemical reactions but are not used up or changed in those reactions. Every chemical reactions requires a certain amount of energy called activation energy which, is absorbed to prime the reaction. The activation energy pushes the reactants to an energy level where their random collisions are forceful enough to ensure interaction. Enzymes allows reactions to occur in the body at a normal temperature by decreasing the amount of activation energy.
-There are three basic steps that are involved in the mechanisms of enzyme action:
1) The enzyme's active site must first bind with the substance(s), called substrates of the enzyme. This causes the active site to change shape so that the substrate and the active site fit together precisely.
2) The enzyme-substrate complex undergoes internal rearrangements that form the product.
3) The enzyme releases the product of the reaction. If the enzyme became part of the product, it would be a reactant, not a catalyst.
Because the unaltered enzyme can act over and over again, cells only need small amounts of each enzyme.

Critical Thinking
2) The antibiotics bind to the enzyme changing its chemical makeup in order to make a new enzyme. The new enzyme will create a different chemical reaction causing the enzyme to attack and kill the harmful bacteria, which was the anticipated effect on the bacteria.

3) The pH measures the level of hydrogen ions. The normal pH of blood is seven which has equal amounts of hydrogen and hydroxyl ions. In Mrs. Roberts condition, thee are more hydrogen ions than hydroxyl ions making her have severe acidosis. This is problematic because her kidneys cannot get rid of acid buildup. Mrs. Roberts is in a diabetic coma which is why I believe she is in metabolic acidosis rather than respiratory acidosis.

Citations- http://www.healthline.com/health/acidosis#Description1