Biomolecules and Enzymes Review

Front

What are biomolecules?

Back

Biomolecules are organic molecules that are essential for life. They include carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.

Front

Define enzymes.

Back

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

Front

What is the role of carbohydrates in living organisms?

Back

Carbohydrates provide energy, serve as structural components, and are involved in cell recognition processes.

Front

Explain the structure of proteins.

Back

Proteins are made up of amino acids linked by peptide bonds, and they have four levels of structure: primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary.

Front

What is the function of lipids?

Back

Lipids store energy, provide insulation, and make up cell membranes.

Front

What are nucleic acids?

Back

Nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA, are biomolecules that store and transmit genetic information.

Front

How do enzymes work?

Back

Enzymes lower the activation energy of a reaction, allowing it to proceed faster. They bind to substrates at the active site to form an enzyme-substrate complex.

Front

What factors affect enzyme activity?

Back

Factors include temperature, pH, substrate concentration, and the presence of inhibitors or activators.

Front

What is the lock and key model of enzyme action?

Back

The lock and key model suggests that the enzyme's active site (the lock) is specifically shaped to fit a particular substrate (the key).

Front

Define substrate in the context of enzymes.

Back

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