enzymes

Front

What are enzymes?

Back

Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in living organisms by lowering the activation energy required for the reaction.

Front

How do enzymes increase the rate of a chemical reaction?

Back

Enzymes increase the rate of a chemical reaction by reducing the activation energy needed for the reaction to occur.

Front

What is activation energy?

Back

Activation energy is the minimum amount of energy required to initiate a chemical reaction.

Front

What is the effect of pH on enzyme activity?

Back

Enzymes have optimal pH levels at which they function best; deviations from this pH can reduce their activity or denature them.

Front

What is hydrolysis?

Back

Hydrolysis is a chemical process that involves the breaking down of compounds by the addition of water, commonly used in digestion.

Front

What are carbohydrates?

Back

Carbohydrates are biomolecules that include sugars, starches, and cellulose, serving as a primary energy source for living organisms.

Front

What is the relationship between an enzyme's shape and its function?

Back

An enzyme's shape is specifically designed to fit certain substrates, allowing it to catalyze specific reactions.

Front

What are substrates in the context of enzymes?

Back

Substrates are the reactants that enzymes act upon to facilitate a chemical reaction.

Front

What is denaturation in enzymes?

Back

Denaturation is the process by which an enzyme loses its functional shape due to external factors like temperature or pH changes.

Front

What is the role of enzymes in digestion?

Back

Enzymes in digestion break down macromolecules into smaller molecules that can be absorbed by the body.