Enzymes

Front

What are enzymes?

Back

Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in living organisms by lowering the activation energy required for the reaction.

Front

How do enzymes speed up chemical reactions?

Back

Enzymes lower the activation energy of chemical reactions.

Front

What macromolecule category do enzymes belong to?

Back

Enzymes are a type of protein.

Front

What is the role of amylase?

Back

Amylase is the enzyme that breaks down starch (amylose) into simpler sugars.

Front

What are the products of the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide by catalase?

Back

The products are water and oxygen.

Front

What is activation energy?

Back

Activation energy is the minimum amount of energy required to initiate a chemical reaction.

Front

What factors can affect enzyme activity?

Back

Enzyme activity can be affected by temperature, pH, and substrate concentration.

Front

What is the optimal pH for most enzymes?

Back

Most enzymes function best at a neutral pH (around 7), but some have specific optimal pH levels.

Front

What happens to enzymes at extreme temperatures?

Back

Extreme temperatures can denature enzymes, altering their structure and rendering them inactive.

Front

What is a substrate in the context of enzymes?

Back

A substrate is the reactant molecule upon which an enzyme acts.