Enzymes

Front

What is an enzyme?

Back

A biological catalyst that speeds up chemical reactions in living organisms without being consumed in the process.

Front

What is the active site of an enzyme?

Back

The specific region on an enzyme where the substrate binds and the reaction occurs.

Front

What is a substrate?

Back

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

Front

What is the lock-and-key model?

Back

A model that explains how enzymes and substrates fit together; the substrate (key) fits into the active site (lock) of the enzyme.

Front

What is the induced fit model?

Back

A model that describes how the active site of an enzyme changes shape to better fit the substrate upon binding.

Front

What are products in an enzymatic reaction?

Back

The substances that are formed as a result of the enzymatic reaction, located on the right side of the reaction arrow.

Front

What suffix is commonly used in the names of enzymes?

Back

-ase, indicating that the molecule is an enzyme.

Front

What role do enzymes play in biological reactions?

Back

They lower the activation energy required for reactions, thus increasing the rate of the reaction.

Front

What factors can affect enzyme activity?

Back

Temperature, pH, substrate concentration, and the presence of inhibitors or activators.

Front

What is an allosteric site?

Back

A site on an enzyme other than the active site where molecules can bind, influencing the enzyme's activity.