AP Enzymes

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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?

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The specific region where a substrate binds to an enzyme, facilitating the chemical reaction.

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What is a substrate?

Back

The reactant molecule that an enzyme acts upon during a chemical reaction.

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What is an inhibitor?

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A substance that decreases or prevents the activity of an enzyme.

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What is competitive inhibition?

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A type of enzyme inhibition where an inhibitor competes with the substrate for binding to the active site.

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What is noncompetitive inhibition?

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A type of enzyme inhibition where an inhibitor binds to an enzyme at a site other than the active site, changing its shape and function.

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What is an allosteric site?

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A site on an enzyme where a regulatory molecule can bind, causing a change in the enzyme's shape and activity.

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What are allosteric interactions?

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The process by which the binding of a molecule at an allosteric site affects the activity of the enzyme at the active site.

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What is feedback inhibition?

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A regulatory mechanism where the end product of a metabolic pathway inhibits an enzyme involved in its synthesis.

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What are products in a chemical reaction?

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