Lab Flashcard Enzymes

Front

What are enzymes?

Back

Enzymes are proteins that act as biological catalysts, speeding up chemical reactions in living organisms.

Front

What is specificity in relation to enzymes?

Back

Specificity refers to the ability of an enzyme to only catalyze a specific substrate, fitting perfectly into its active site.

Front

How do enzymes affect activation energy?

Back

Enzymes decrease the activation energy required for a chemical reaction to occur, making it easier for the reaction to proceed.

Front

What is a catalyst?

Back

A catalyst is a substance that speeds up a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process.

Front

What is the active site of an enzyme?

Back

The active site is the region on the enzyme where the substrate binds and the reaction takes place.

Front

What happens to enzymes at high temperatures?

Back

High temperatures can lead to denaturation, where the enzyme's structure is altered, causing it to lose its functionality.

Front

What is the role of substrates in enzyme reactions?

Back

Substrates are the reactants that enzymes act upon, fitting into the enzyme's active site to form products.

Front

What is enzyme reusability?

Back

Enzymes can be reused multiple times in reactions because they are not consumed or permanently altered during the reaction.

Front

What is denaturation in enzymes?

Back

Denaturation is the process where an enzyme loses its three-dimensional structure and, consequently, its activity due to factors like temperature or pH changes.

Front

What is the relationship between enzyme concentration and reaction rate?

Back

Increasing enzyme concentration generally increases the reaction rate, provided there is enough substrate available.