Enzymes

Front

What are enzymes?

Back

Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in living organisms without being consumed in the process.

Front

What is the role of enzymes in chemical reactions?

Back

Enzymes lower the activation energy required for a reaction, allowing it to occur more quickly.

Front

What is the optimum pH for enzyme activity?

Back

The optimum pH is the pH at which an enzyme is most active. For many enzymes, this is around neutral pH (6-8), but it can vary.

Front

What happens to enzymes at high temperatures?

Back

High temperatures can denature enzymes, altering their shape and rendering them inactive.

Front

What is denaturation in the context of enzymes?

Back

Denaturation is the process where an enzyme's structure is altered, usually due to extreme temperature or pH, leading to loss of function.

Front

What suffix do most enzymes have?

Back

Most enzymes end with the suffix '-ase', indicating their function as catalysts.

Front

How do enzymes affect the rate of a reaction?

Back

Enzymes increase the rate of a reaction by providing an alternative pathway with a lower activation energy.

Front

What is a substrate in enzyme activity?

Back

A substrate is the reactant molecule upon which an enzyme acts.

Front

What is the enzyme-substrate complex?

Back

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

Front

What factors affect enzyme activity?

Back

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