Enzymes are building blocks of chemical reactions of chemistry. One way of learning their functions and catalytic activity is the concept map technique. Its top-down hierarchy helps viewers visualize the reactive process and illustrates how enzymes are positioned within the chemical chain.
This article explores some concept map enzymes for note-taking and presentations. It depicts how the multiple classes of enzymes are interconnected. Furthermore, this article offers enzyme mind map maker substitutes for educators and students.
So, let us get in and discuss some enzyme concept maps and similar examples from the EdrawMind template gallery.
In this article
What are Enzymes
Enzymes are catalytic substances that regulate the rate of chemical reactions in human bodies. Simply put, these proteins speed up our body’s metabolism. There are thousands of enzymes in each cell, making them reusable for recurring activity. Each enzyme in the body has a specific function, essential for the health of the body.
Traditionally, enzymes were only believed to be present as protein. These enzymes help with hormone production, cell regulation, digestive processes, and liver regulation. However, in the early 1980s, it was discovered that ribozymes, also known as RNAs, equally participate in the catalytic activity of nucleic acid.
Today, enzymes are present naturally in the body and can be processed synthetically.
Natural Enzymes
Natural enzymes are biocatalysts, mostly protein, aiding chemical activity in living organisms. These enzymes help in digestion, fast metabolism, conversion of chemical energy, and cellular macromolecule manufacturing. Their absence or deficiency can cause serious diseases like albinism and phenylketonuria.
Artificial Enzymes
Artificial enzymes are synthetic organic molecules that recreate multiple functions. Unlike natural enzymes, their catalytic speed is adjustable accordingly. These enzymes are used in industrial applications like wine fermentation, bread leavening, cheese curdling, and beer brewing. They also have medicinal uses like healing and diagnosis.
What are Major Enzymes
Typically, enzymes were classified by the researcher's name. As synthetic enzymes were discovered, the International Union of Biochemists (IUB) divided them into six functional categories. These classes were defined by their catalytic nature and reaction speed. So, let us check them out in detail.
- Oxidoreductases
- Hydrolases
- Lyases
- Transferases
- Ligases
- Isomerases
Oxidoreductase enzymes catalyze oxidation and reduction reactions. For instance, pyruvate dehydrogenase facilitates the acetyl coenzyme oxidation from pyruvate.
These enzymes catalyze the hydrolysis bonds. Mostly, these are peptide bonds in proteins.
Lyase enzymes break chemical bonds without catalysis. For instance, aldolase facilitates the splitting of fructose into dihydroxyacetone phosphate and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate during glycolysis.
Transferase enzymes are responsible for transferring chemical groups into different compounds. For example, transaminase transfers amino groups to another compound.
Ligase enzymes catalyze the formation of two molecules. For instance, DNA ligase catalyzes the joining of DNA molecules into phosphodiester bonds.
Isomerase enzymes aid in the isomerism of a compound. For example, phosphoglucomutase is an enzyme used in the conversion of glucose- into glucose-6-phosphate.
How to Define Enzymes with Concept Maps
A concept map is a must-have for any student learning about enzymes, their nature, and functioning. Here are three enzyme concept map examples from the EdrawMind template gallery.
1. Enzyme Concept Map
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This enzyme concept map, on first look, depicts how enzymes work in living organisms. It uses a spider web-like structure to emphasize the role of each substance and molecule. An excellent way to reinforce this example is by displaying it on the science board for primary/ secondary students.
The example has labeled cross-linkages to illustrate the relationship between elements in the map. The creator has also used multiple colors to differentiate categories. It also has no keywords; rather, the map has small phrases for a better understanding of enzyme functions. There is no need for further research, as all the descriptions are available in sub-branches.
2. Enzyme Activity Map
Enzymes maintain a person’s health by regulating chemical reactions. Understanding their complex processes might be challenging from a notebook. This is where this enzyme activity concept map comes in handy. It shows how enzymes generally work. It uses a straightforward sub-branch approach to visualize the functions of major enzymes in living organisms.
The example uses different colors for each branch level. For instance, Enzyme (no color) > Break Down (purple color) > Proteins (no color). The creator has also used purple and yellow colors for major and minor enzyme functions, respectively. This way, making sense of relationships is easier. Having no cross-links and labeled lines makes it suitable for novices.
3. Proteins Concept Map
Proteins are nutritional for humans, containing essential amino acids. These acids repair muscles, heal bones and produce hormone enzymes. Most proteins are naturally occurring enzymes and form the building blocks of the body-sustaining chemical reactions. This concept map depicts how enzymes are generated through protein using transcription.
The concept map has a simple layout and several colors to differentiate between the elements and their characteristics. It also illustrates how DNA and RNA bases pair up to produce enzymes. The curator has further made a parallel comparison on the generation of amino acids through translation.
EdrawMind: Online Concept Mapping Software
Want to customize an enzyme template for a presentation? Looking for a pre-designed enzyme map for exam preparation? Try searching EdrawMind. EdrawMind is an advanced mind-mapping software with a massive template gallery with professionally designed concept maps. Here are some reasons why this may be a better choice for students and educators.
- Template Gallery
- Advanced Mind Mapping Resources
- MindMap x AI
- Auto-Presentation Mode
EdrawMind has a massive template gallery with over 1000+ ready-to-use examples, including concept maps. Here, you will find interesting educational topics like enzymes, biology, living organisms, chemical reactions, etc. So, whenever it is an exam, turn to these templates and learn concepts in minutes. Also, you are free to add information, insert nodes, build relationships, and change colors.
EdrawMind features an advanced mind-mapping space where you can build concept maps, fishbone diagrams, and spider maps from scratch. It has an unlimited canvas space to build numerous branches and sub-branches. You can also utilize the notes to add extensive texts to your mind maps.
In addition, the styling options help you maintain harmony in your mind maps. It allows customizing themes, color schemes, and layout of the mind maps. But it does not stop here. EdrawMind editing panel also supports LaTeX equations and hyperlinks for complex information structures.
EdrawMind goes one step further and integrates mind mapping with artificial intelligence. It allows for making mind maps, translating concept maps, producing presentations, brainstorming, and more, all with a single click. You can also make inquiries with EdrawAI to solve educational problems.
Making presentations every other day can make it hectic and challenging for educators. This is where EdrawMind’s auto-presentation mode comes in handy. It can transform your mind maps into a one-slide presentation or multiple slides automatically with a few clicks. Just enable the Presentation mode, and you are all set for the next class.
Conclusion
Enzymes are vital catalytic substrates, and every science student learns them throughout their studies. However, their functions, divisions, and activities in chemical reactions can be overwhelming to grasp. But concept map enzymes have made it easier to take notes, recall their functionalities, and get a quick look at their characteristics in a short time.
That said, not all enzyme mind maps are factually correct and visually appealing. Therefore, it is essential to choose an advanced software like EdrawMind. This mind-mapping software has numerous pre-made enzyme concept maps and other scientific (biological, chemistry, and physics) maps for students and educators.
Even better, the intuitive and tidy interface makes it suitable for starters. So, give it a try, and it may become your study partner.
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