AP BIO Thanksgiving fun with Enzymes etc

Front

What is an enzyme?

Back

A protein that acts as a catalyst to speed up chemical reactions in biological processes.

Front

Can enzymes be used multiple times in reactions?

Back

Yes, enzymes can be used multiple times as they are not consumed in the reaction.

Front

What is denaturation in enzymes?

Back

Denaturation is the process where an enzyme's structure is altered, affecting its function, often due to high temperature or pH changes.

Front

What happens to enzymes at high temperatures?

Back

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

Front

What is a competitive inhibitor?

Back

A substance that competes with the substrate for the active site of an enzyme, potentially slowing down the reaction.

Front

How can the effects of a competitive inhibitor be overcome?

Back

By increasing the concentration of the substrate, which can outcompete the inhibitor for the active site.

Front

What is the role of enzymes in chemical reactions?

Back

Enzymes lower the activation energy required for a reaction, thus speeding up the process.

Front

What is the active site of an enzyme?

Back

The specific region of an enzyme where the substrate binds and the reaction occurs.

Front

What is substrate specificity?

Back

The concept that each enzyme only catalyzes a specific reaction for a specific substrate.

Front

What is the effect of pH on enzyme activity?

Back

Each enzyme has an optimal pH range; deviations can lead to denaturation and reduced activity.