Enzymes & Energy Flashcard

Front

What is an enzyme?

Back

An enzyme is a protein that acts as a catalyst to speed up chemical reactions in biological processes.

Front

What is the active site of an enzyme?

Back

The active site is the specific region of an enzyme where substrate molecules bind and undergo a chemical reaction.

Front

What does it mean for an enzyme to be denatured?

Back

Denaturation is the process in which an enzyme loses its functional shape due to factors like temperature or pH, rendering it inactive.

Front

What is the role of substrates in enzyme reactions?

Back

Substrates are the reactants that enzymes act upon to facilitate a chemical reaction.

Front

What is the significance of the optimum pH for an enzyme?

Back

The optimum pH is the pH level at which an enzyme's activity is maximized, affecting its efficiency and reaction rate.

Front

What is the difference between aerobic and anaerobic processes?

Back

Aerobic processes require oxygen, while anaerobic processes do not.

Front

What are the factors that affect enzyme activity?

Back

Factors include temperature, pH, substrate concentration, and the presence of inhibitors or activators.

Front

What is an enzyme inhibitor?

Back

An enzyme inhibitor is a substance that decreases or prevents the activity of an enzyme.

Front

What is the lock and key model of enzyme action?

Back

The lock and key model describes how the enzyme's active site (the lock) is specifically shaped to fit a particular substrate (the key).

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.