Can enzymes be used again

Answer 1

As with all catalysts, enzymes are not consumed by the reactions they catalyze. What they do is influence the properties of other molecules, sometimes by modifying their orientation, sometimes by pulling or pushing the electron clouds of other molecules, sometimes by forming temporary bonds that change the chemical character of a molecule, sometimes by helping another molecule stretch out or scrunch up to present the reactive sites to other molecules (these are very broad non-scientific descriptions of the actions of enzymes, but hopefully they at least convey the feeling of what is going on). Since enzymes do not actually become part of the products of the reactions they catalyze, they remain available to continue to promote (or in some cases inhibit) reactions until they are destroyed or modified by something outside the reactions they are effecting (like denaturing by heating for example).

Answer 2

Enzymes are proteins with a tertiary structure, and they have an active site which is made up of between 2-20 amino acids. Let us think about the following enzyme controlled reaction:

amylase

Starch --------> Maltose

The enzyme is amylase. Starch is the substrate. Amylase is a protein (as all enzymes are) which has an active site which is complementary in shape to the shape of the substrate, starch. The enzyme and substrate work like a lock and key - they are complementary in shape, and the enzyme is only able to bind to starch, as other substrates are not complementary in shape (just like if you put someone else's door key into your lock - only your own key is complementary to your lock). The starch binds to the active site of amylase, and amylase holds starch in such a way that the bonds are weakened, and less activation energy is needed to hydrolyse starch to maltose. When the maltose has been formed, it leaves the active site, and another starch molecule of starch will bind to amylase. So, the enzyme is not used up, as it is not actually participating in the reaction, just decreasing the activation energy needed for the reaction by holding the substrate in such a way that the bonds are broken more easily.

Enzymes are sometimes called biological catalysts, because they increase the rate of reactions, but remain unchanged.

Answer 3

Because enzymes participate in chemical reactions without being modified, they can be used over and over again,

Answer 4

Yes . because they are biological catalysts and after a reaction the enzyme doesn't change. Except if it was denatured( when the temperature is too high)

Answer 5

yes. enzyme can be used more than once