Enzymes

Front

What is an enzyme?

Back

A biological catalyst that speeds up chemical reactions in living organisms.

Front

What is the function of an enzyme?

Back

To speed up reactions by lowering the activation energy required.

Front

What is a substrate?

Back

The reactant molecule upon which an enzyme acts.

Front

What is the active site of an enzyme?

Back

The specific region where the substrate binds to the enzyme.

Front

What happens to enzymes at high temperatures?

Back

They can be denatured, altering their shape and function.

Front

What is denaturation?

Back

The process in which an enzyme's structure is altered, rendering it inactive.

Front

What factors affect enzyme activity?

Back

Temperature, pH, substrate concentration, and enzyme concentration.

Front

What is the lock and key model?

Back

A model that explains how enzymes and substrates fit together perfectly.

Front

What is the induced fit model?

Back

A model that describes how enzymes change shape to better fit the substrate.

Front

What is enzyme specificity?

Back

The concept that each enzyme only catalyzes a specific type of reaction.