Enzymes

Front

What are enzymes?

Back

Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in living organisms without being consumed in the process.

Front

What is the active site of an enzyme?

Back

The active site is the specific region of an enzyme where substrate molecules bind and undergo a chemical reaction.

Front

What is a substrate?

Back

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

Front

What are products in a chemical reaction?

Back

Products are the substances that are produced as a result of a chemical reaction.

Front

What does it mean for an enzyme to be denatured?

Back

Denaturation is the process in which an enzyme loses its functional shape due to high temperature or extreme pH, rendering it inactive.

Front

What factors affect enzyme activity?

Back

Enzyme activity can be affected by temperature, pH, substrate concentration, and the presence of inhibitors or activators.

Front

What is the optimal temperature for most human enzymes?

Back

The optimal temperature for most human enzymes is around 37°C (98.6°F).

Front

How does temperature affect enzyme activity?

Back

As temperature increases, enzyme activity typically increases until it reaches an optimal point, after which activity declines due to denaturation.

Front

What is an enzyme-substrate complex?

Back

An enzyme-substrate complex is the temporary molecule formed when an enzyme binds to its substrate.

Front

What role do enzymes play in metabolism?

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Enzymes facilitate metabolic reactions by lowering the activation energy required for the reactions to occur.