Enzymes

Front

What is an enzyme?

Back

A biological catalyst that speeds up chemical reactions in living organisms without being consumed in the process.

Front

What is the active site of an enzyme?

Back

The specific region on an enzyme where substrate molecules bind and undergo a chemical reaction.

Front

What is a competitive inhibitor?

Back

A substance that resembles the substrate and competes for the active site of an enzyme, reducing the enzyme's activity.

Front

What is a non-competitive inhibitor?

Back

A substance that binds to an enzyme at a site other than the active site, changing the enzyme's shape and reducing its activity.

Front

What is an allosteric regulator?

Back

A molecule that binds to an enzyme at a site other than the active site, influencing the enzyme's activity.

Front

How does pH affect enzyme activity?

Back

Each enzyme has an optimal pH range; deviations can lead to decreased activity or denaturation.

Front

How does temperature affect enzyme activity?

Back

Increased temperature generally increases enzyme activity up to a point, after which the enzyme may denature.

Front

What is Gibbs Free Energy (ΔG)?

Back

A thermodynamic quantity that represents the amount of energy available to do work in a system.

Front

What does a negative ΔG indicate about a reaction?

Back

The reaction is spontaneous and can occur without external energy input.

Front

What is an endergonic reaction?

Back

A reaction that requires energy input to proceed, resulting in a positive ΔG.