Chemical Reactions and Enzymes

Front

What is activation energy?

Back

The energy needed to start a chemical reaction.

Front

What is the optimum pH of an enzyme?

Back

The pH at which an enzyme's activity is highest; for example, 6.6 for a specific enzyme.

Front

How does the presence of an enzyme affect a chemical reaction?

Back

Enzymes lower the activation energy required for a reaction, making it occur faster.

Front

What happens to an enzyme after it catalyzes a reaction?

Back

It can be reused for another reaction with the same reactants.

Front

What is a substrate in the context of enzymes?

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The reactant molecule that an enzyme acts upon.

Front

What is a product in a chemical reaction?

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The substances that are formed as a result of a chemical reaction.

Front

What role do enzymes play in biological systems?

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Enzymes act as catalysts to speed up chemical reactions necessary for life.

Front

What is denaturation in relation to enzymes?

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The process in which an enzyme loses its functional shape due to extreme conditions, such as high temperature or pH.

Front

What is the effect of temperature on enzyme activity?

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Enzyme activity typically increases with temperature up to a certain point, after which it may decrease due to denaturation.

Front

What is a competitive inhibitor?

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A substance that competes with the substrate for binding to the active site of an enzyme.