Quick 10Q: Enzymes

Front

What is an enzyme?

Back

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

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What is the active site of an enzyme?

Back

The specific region on an enzyme where a substrate binds.

Front

What is a substrate in the context of enzymes?

Back

The reactant molecule that an enzyme acts upon.

Front

What is competitive inhibition?

Back

A type of enzyme inhibition where a molecule similar to the substrate competes for binding at the active site.

Front

What is noncompetitive inhibition?

Back

A type of enzyme inhibition where an inhibitor binds to an allosteric site, reducing the enzyme's activity regardless of substrate concentration.

Front

How do enzymes affect activation energy?

Back

Enzymes lower the activation energy required for a reaction to occur.

Front

What is the role of temperature in enzyme activity?

Back

Temperature affects enzyme activity; each enzyme has an optimal temperature range for maximum activity.

Front

What is the effect of pH on enzyme activity?

Back

Each enzyme has an optimal pH range; deviations can lead to decreased activity or denaturation.

Front

What is an allosteric site?

Back

A site on an enzyme other than the active site where molecules can bind and influence enzyme activity.

Front

What happens to enzyme activity at high substrate concentrations in competitive inhibition?

Back

Increasing substrate concentration can overcome competitive inhibition by outcompeting the inhibitor.