Quick 10Q: 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 happens to the reaction rate if an enzyme is denatured?

Back

The reaction rate decreases.

Front

Which factor does NOT affect enzyme activity?

Back

Low temperature.

Front

What is the role of enzymes in chemical reactions?

Back

Enzymes lower the activation energy required for reactions to occur.

Front

What is activation energy?

Back

The minimum energy required for a chemical reaction to occur.

Front

Can enzymes change the delta G of a reaction?

Back

No, enzymes do not change the delta G; they only speed up the reaction.

Front

What is a substrate?

Back

The reactant molecule upon which an enzyme acts.

Front

What is enzyme specificity?

Back

The ability of an enzyme to choose exact substrate from a group of similar chemical molecules.

Front

What conditions can denature an enzyme?

Back

High temperature, extreme pH levels, and high salt concentrations.

Front

What is a cofactor?

Back

A non-protein chemical compound that is required for the biological activity of some enzymes.