AP Biology Unit 3 Enzymes

Front

What are enzymes?

Back

Enzymes are proteins that act as catalysts to accelerate chemical reactions in biological systems.

Front

What happens to enzyme activity when temperature decreases?

Back

Enzyme activity typically decreases as temperature falls, which can cause a change in the shape of the protein and reduce its effectiveness.

Front

What is the term for the specific substrate that fits an enzyme's active site?

Back

Specificity - Each enzyme is specific to one substrate that fits its active site.

Front

What role do vitamins and minerals play in enzyme function?

Back

Vitamins and minerals act as activators, helping enzymes to function properly.

Front

What suffix do most enzymes end with?

Back

-ase

Front

What is the effect of pH on enzyme activity?

Back

Extreme pH levels can denature enzymes, altering their shape and reducing their activity.

Front

What is a catalyst?

Back

A catalyst is a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process.

Front

How do competitive inhibitors affect enzyme activity?

Back

Competitive inhibitors bind to the active site of an enzyme, preventing the substrate from binding and thus decreasing enzyme activity.

Front

What is the function of the active site of an enzyme?

Back

The active site is the region on the enzyme where the substrate binds and the reaction occurs.

Front

What is enzyme denaturation?

Back

Denaturation is the process where an enzyme loses its functional shape due to factors like temperature or pH changes.