Enzymes

Front

What is an enzyme?

Back

A biological catalyst that speeds up chemical reactions in living organisms.

Front

What is a substrate?

Back

The reactant molecule upon which an enzyme acts.

Front

What is the active site of an enzyme?

Back

The specific region of an enzyme where the substrate binds.

Front

What are products in a chemical reaction?

Back

The substances that are produced at the end of a chemical reaction.

Front

How do enzymes speed up reactions?

Back

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

Front

What is the optimum pH for an enzyme?

Back

The pH at which an enzyme is most active.

Front

What happens to enzyme activity as temperature increases?

Back

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

Front

What is enzyme denaturation?

Back

The process in which an enzyme loses its functional shape and, therefore, its activity due to extreme conditions.

Front

What is the role of cofactors in enzyme activity?

Back

Cofactors are non-protein molecules that assist enzymes in catalyzing reactions.

Front

What is the difference between competitive and non-competitive inhibition?

Back

Competitive inhibition occurs when an inhibitor competes with the substrate for the active site, while non-competitive inhibition occurs when an inhibitor binds to a different part of the enzyme.