Enzymes

Front

What is an enzyme?

Back

A biological catalyst that speeds up chemical reactions in living organisms by lowering the activation energy.

Front

What is the optimum pH for an enzyme?

Back

The pH at which an enzyme's activity is at its maximum.

Front

How do enzymes speed up reactions?

Back

By lowering the activation energy required for the reaction to occur.

Front

What is a competitive inhibitor?

Back

A substance that slows down enzyme activity by binding to the active site, preventing the substrate from binding.

Front

What is the lock-and-key model of enzyme action?

Back

A model that describes how the substrate fits precisely into the active site of the enzyme, similar to a key fitting into a lock.

Front

What is the active site of an enzyme?

Back

The specific region of the enzyme where the substrate binds and the reaction occurs.

Front

What happens to enzyme activity at extreme pH levels?

Back

Enzyme activity typically decreases as extreme pH levels can denature the enzyme, altering its structure.

Front

What is the enzyme-substrate complex?

Back

The temporary complex formed when an enzyme binds to its substrate.

Front

What effect does temperature have on enzyme activity?

Back

Enzyme activity generally increases with temperature up to a certain point, after which it may decrease due to denaturation.

Front

What is denaturation in enzymes?

Back

The process by which an enzyme loses its functional shape due to external stress, such as extreme temperature or pH.