Unit 3: Enzymes, ATP, and Energy Flow

Front

What is an enzyme?

Back

A biological catalyst that speeds up chemical reactions in living organisms by lowering the activation energy.

Front

What does it mean for an enzyme to be specific?

Back

It means that an enzyme can only catalyze a reaction with a certain molecule, known as its substrate.

Front

How do enzymes speed up reactions?

Back

By lowering the activation energy required for the reaction to occur.

Front

What is activation energy?

Back

The minimum amount of energy required to start a chemical reaction.

Front

What is chemosynthesis?

Back

A process by which certain organisms, like deep sea vent bacteria, obtain energy by converting inorganic compounds into organic matter.

Front

What is a decomposer?

Back

An organism that breaks down wastes and dead organisms, returning raw materials to the environment.

Front

What are producers?

Back

Organisms that produce their own food through processes like photosynthesis.

Front

What are consumers?

Back

Organisms that cannot produce their own food and must eat other organisms for energy.

Front

What is the difference between herbivores and carnivores?

Back

Herbivores eat plants, while carnivores eat meat.

Front

What is an omnivore?

Back

An organism that eats both plants and animals.