Enzymes Flashcard - Topics 3.1-3.3

Front

What is an enzyme?

Back

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

Front

What is activation energy?

Back

The minimum amount of energy required for a chemical reaction to occur.

Front

How do enzymes affect activation energy?

Back

Enzymes decrease the activation energy required for a reaction, allowing it to proceed more quickly.

Front

What is substrate concentration's effect on enzyme activity?

Back

Increasing substrate concentration generally increases the rate of reaction until the enzyme becomes saturated.

Front

What happens when an enzyme is denatured?

Back

The enzyme loses its specific shape and, consequently, its ability to catalyze reactions.

Front

What are allosteric inhibitors?

Back

Molecules that bind to an enzyme at a site other than the active site, causing a change in shape and reducing activity.

Front

What role do vitamins and minerals play in enzyme function?

Back

They act as cofactors or coenzymes, assisting enzymes in catalyzing reactions.

Front

What is the optimal pH for enzyme activity?

Back

The pH at which an enzyme is most active; varies by enzyme, but extreme pH levels can denature enzymes.

Front

What is enzyme saturation?

Back

The point at which all active sites of an enzyme are occupied by substrate, leading to a maximum reaction rate.

Front

What is a competitive inhibitor?

Back

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