Enzymes and Their Functions

Front

What is an enzyme?

Back

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

Front

What is the active site of an enzyme?

Back

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

Front

What is the enzyme-substrate complex?

Back

The enzyme-substrate complex is the temporary complex formed when an enzyme binds to its substrate.

Front

How do enzymes affect activation energy?

Back

Enzymes lower the activation energy required for a reaction, which increases the reaction rate.

Front

What is the role of digestive enzymes?

Back

Digestive enzymes break down food into smaller molecules, allowing the body to absorb nutrients.

Front

What determines the specificity of an enzyme?

Back

The specificity of an enzyme is determined by its unique structure and the shape of its active site.

Front

What happens to enzymes after a reaction?

Back

Enzymes are not consumed in a reaction; they can be reused multiple times.

Front

How does pH affect enzyme activity?

Back

Each enzyme has an optimal pH range where it functions best; deviations can reduce activity.

Front

What is denaturation in enzymes?

Back

Denaturation is the process where an enzyme loses its functional shape due to extreme conditions, rendering it inactive.

Front

What is the effect of temperature on enzyme activity?

Back

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