the difference between enzymes and protiens ?:/

hi guys

i have a biology aqa additional science exam coming up on the 22/01/13 and im literally shaking with anxiety i have revised half the syllabus and need to keep this revision consistent (distractions) could you guys help me with differentiating between an enzyme and a protiens thank you in advance 0 :smile:

Reply 1

Mockery

An enzyme is a class of proteins. They are made from the same amino acid building blocks. Their function is to catalyse biological reactions.

Reply 2

sophieH1303

A protein is made up of a chain of 10 000+ amino acids and it is the sequence of the amino acids that determine its shape The pritein's function all depends on the way the protein coils up. An enzyme is a type of protein.
Hope this helps!

Reply 3

Legal drugdealer

Original post by Mockery

An enzyme is a class of proteins. They are made from the same amino acid building blocks. Their function is to catalyse biological reactions.

same amino acids at what?

Reply 4

warfarin

there are many different types of proteins. Some provide strength and are found in the skin (for example fibrous proteins, eg collagen)
others can physically move and allow muscles to contract (eg actin and myosin complexes)
again others can catalyse chemical reactions (ie increase the rate of the reactions). Proteins of this type are collectively called 'enzymes'.

Reply 5

Mockery

Original post by Legal drugdealer

same amino acids at what?

Are you familiar with the 20 common amino acid residues that are responsible for creating polypeptides? Enzymes are also proteins and are made out of the same stuff, the only differences between enzymatic and none enzymatic proteins is their structure and therefore their function.

Reply 6

username984585

Enzymes are globular proteins, if that's any help to you :smile:

Reply 7

Eloades11

Original post by sophieH1303

Not quite, a protein can have a varying length amount of amino acids joined together, it doesn't have to be over 10 000+ amino acids. A protein can even have as little as 20 amino acids joined by peptide bonds :smile:

Reply 8

tammy:)

Original post by Nav_Mallhi

Enzymes are globular proteins, if that's any help to you :smile:

globular? no i dont get it not as yet

(edited 11 years ago)

Reply 9

tammy:)

guys guys guys:/ tooooo much information jeez :s sorry but could you explain in simpler terms

Reply 10

Mockery

Original post by tammy:)

guys guys guys:/ tooooo much information jeez :s sorry but could you explain in simpler terms

Is it possible to explain it any simpler? :biggrin:

Enzyme = Protein

It breaks and builds s***

Reply 11

Eloades11

Original post by tammy:)

guys guys guys:/ tooooo much information jeez :s sorry but could you explain in simpler terms

A protein is a long chain of amino acids joined together to perform a function, whether it be receptor/cell signalling molecules, immunity eg immunoglobulins and many more roles.

An enzyme is a specific class of protein, all enzymes have the same function which is to catalyse certain biochemical reactions. Does this help? :smile:

Reply 12

warfarin

Original post by tammy:)

globular? no i dont get it not as yet

globular as in 'more or less round in shape'. As opposed to fibrous (structural) proteins, which are long and thin in shape (like a string).