Chemical reactions

Protein Function and Enzymes Most proteins function by binding to other molecules Antibody - aggregating foreign Actin - binding to itself Enzymes Hexokinase - binding pocket for glucose, then catalyze Selectivity comes into play based on functional groups Proteins bind other molecules at the binding site Unique chemical environment Not only based on agreeing shape, but also non-covalent bonds In some cases this binding is very tight; in others it is weak and short lived. The binding site is a cavity on the surface created by several amino acids that interact with the substrate Chemical identity of function groups that dictates what molecules will bond Protein binding to another molecule is highly selective Thermal energy causes not matching molecules to dissociate