An object not in motion (such as a diver on a platform) may possess potential energy if it is capable of motion later.
The potential energy is converted to kinetic energy when the object is in motion (as when the diver jumps off the platform).
After the dive, the diver has less potential energy than before, and must expand more energy to get back on the platform.
Heat is released when energy is converted from one form to another.
Energy cannot be created nor destroyed (conservation of energy), but can be transferred or transformed from one form to another.
For example, the chemical (potential) energy in food is converted to the kinetic energy of the cheetah's movement through metabolism.
As open systems, organisms can increase their order by increasing disorder (entropy) of their surroundings through metabolism.
This process releases energy that can be used for cellular work.
Phosphate group transfer provides energy for most cellular work.
After work is done, the phosphate is released as inorganic phosphate (Pi).
The enzyme sucrase catalyzes the hydrolysis of sucrose.
The starting molecules ( sucrose and H[2]O ) in a chemical reaction are called reactants or substrates.
The molecules produced by the reaction ( glucose and fructose ) are called products.
The enzyme does not take part in the reaction, but serves as a catalyst, speeding up the reaction.
In an exergonic reaction, the products have lower free energy than the reactants (DG < 0), and the reaction occurs spontaneously.
However, the reaction usually involves first breaking some bonds and requires activation energy (E[A]).
The E[A] provides a barrier that determines the rate of the reaction.
An enzyme speeds up an exergonic reaction by reducing its activation energy (E[A]).
The free-energy change (DG) of the reaction is not affected.
An enzyme catalyzes the conversion of reactant (substrate) molecules to product molecules.
The substrates bind to the active site of the enzyme by weak forces such as hydrogen bonds.
The enzyme lowers the E[A] by orienting substrates properly within the active site.
This change allows more weak bonds to form, causing the active site to embrace the substrate and hold it in place.
They have 2 kinds of binding sites, the active site for the substrate and the regulatory site for a signal molecule.
When a signal molecule binds to its regulatory site, the shape of the enzyme changes.
This change may activate or inhibit enzyme activity.
The activity of an enzyme is influenced by both pH and temperature.
Most human enzymes, such as the intestinal trypsin work best at about 35°C - 40°C and neutral pH.
Gastric enzymes such as pepsin are adapted to the acidic environment of the stomach.