Enzymes and Biological Reactions

Front

What is an enzyme?

Back

An enzyme is a biological catalyst that speeds up chemical reactions in living organisms by lowering the activation energy required for the reaction.

Front

What is the active site of an enzyme?

Back

The active site is the specific region of an enzyme where substrate molecules bind and undergo a chemical reaction.

Front

How does pH affect enzyme activity?

Back

Enzymes have optimal pH ranges in which they function best. Deviations from this range can lead to decreased activity or denaturation.

Front

What is denaturation in the context of enzymes?

Back

Denaturation is the process by which an enzyme loses its three-dimensional structure, rendering it inactive, often due to extreme pH or temperature.

Front

What role do enzymes play in biological reactions?

Back

Enzymes increase the rate of biological reactions by lowering the activation energy needed for the reaction to occur.

Front

What is a substrate?

Back

A substrate is a reactant molecule upon which an enzyme acts.

Front

What is the effect of temperature on enzyme activity?

Back

Enzyme activity typically increases with temperature up to a certain point, after which high temperatures can lead to denaturation.

Front

What is a coenzyme?

Back

A coenzyme is a non-protein organic molecule that assists enzymes in catalyzing reactions.

Front

What is competitive inhibition?

Back

Competitive inhibition occurs when a molecule similar to the substrate competes for binding at the active site of an enzyme, reducing its activity.

Front

What is non-competitive inhibition?

Back

Non-competitive inhibition occurs when an inhibitor binds to an enzyme at a site other than the active site, altering the enzyme's function regardless of substrate presence.