Enzymes

Front

What are enzymes?

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Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in living organisms. They are primarily made of proteins.

Front

What is the main function of an enzyme?

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The main function of an enzyme is to speed up reactions by lowering the activation energy required for the reaction to occur.

Front

What is a catalyst?

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

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What does it mean for an enzyme to be specific?

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An enzyme is specific if it only catalyzes one particular reaction or acts on a specific substrate.

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What is the active site of an enzyme?

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

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What factors can affect enzyme activity?

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Factors that can affect enzyme activity include temperature, pH, substrate concentration, and the presence of inhibitors or activators.

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What is the optimum pH for an enzyme?

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The optimum pH is the pH at which an enzyme's activity is at its maximum.

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How do temperature changes affect enzyme activity?

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Temperature changes can affect enzyme activity; generally, increasing temperature increases activity up to a point, after which the enzyme may denature and lose function.

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What is enzyme denaturation?

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Enzyme denaturation is the process where an enzyme loses its three-dimensional structure and, consequently, its activity due to extreme conditions such as high temperature or extreme pH.

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What is a substrate?

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