Practice: Enzymes

Front

What is an enzyme?

Back

A biological catalyst that speeds up chemical reactions in living organisms without being consumed in the process.

Front

What is a substrate?

Back

The reactant molecule that an enzyme acts upon.

Front

What happens to a substrate after it binds to an enzyme?

Back

It is converted into a product.

Front

What is denaturation in relation to enzymes?

Back

The process by which an enzyme loses its functional shape due to extreme pH or temperature, rendering it inactive.

Front

What is the active site of an enzyme?

Back

The specific region on the enzyme where the substrate binds.

Front

How does pH affect enzyme activity?

Back

Each enzyme has an optimal pH range; deviations can lead to denaturation and reduced activity.

Front

What is enzyme inhibition?

Back

A process in which a molecule binds to an enzyme and decreases its activity.

Front

What is the difference between competitive and non-competitive inhibition?

Back

Competitive inhibition occurs when an inhibitor competes with the substrate for the active site, while non-competitive inhibition occurs when an inhibitor binds to a different site, altering the enzyme's function.

Front

What is activation energy?

Back

The minimum energy required for a chemical reaction to occur.

Front

How do enzymes affect activation energy?

Back

Enzymes lower the activation energy required for a reaction, increasing the reaction rate.