Enzyme Review

Front

What is the lock and key mechanism in enzymes?

Back

The lock and key mechanism describes how each substrate must fit precisely into the enzyme's active site, similar to how a key fits into a lock.

Front

What is the active site of an enzyme?

Back

The active site is the specific region of an enzyme where the substrate binds and the reaction occurs.

Front

What is the optimal pH for enzyme activity?

Back

The optimal pH is the pH level at which an enzyme functions most effectively; for some enzymes, this may be around 9.

Front

How do enzymes affect activation energy?

Back

Enzymes decrease the activation energy required for a 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 role do enzymes play in biological reactions?

Back

Enzymes act as biological catalysts that accelerate chemical reactions in living organisms.

Front

What happens to enzymes at extreme temperatures?

Back

Extreme temperatures can denature enzymes, altering their structure and rendering them inactive.

Front

What is substrate specificity in enzymes?

Back

Substrate specificity refers to the ability of an enzyme to choose exact substrates from a group of similar chemical molecules.

Front

What is enzyme denaturation?

Back

Denaturation is the process in which an enzyme loses its functional shape due to external stress, such as temperature or pH changes.

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 part of the enzyme.