Topic 5 Day 3 Enzymes

Front

What is an enzyme?

Back

A protein that acts as a catalyst to speed up chemical reactions in living organisms.

Front

What is the optimal pH for most enzymes?

Back

Typically around 7 to 9, but it varies depending on the specific enzyme.

Front

What happens to pepsin when it enters the small intestine?

Back

It becomes inactive and denatures due to the higher pH.

Front

Why are enzymes necessary for reactions in our cells?

Back

They speed up reactions that would otherwise be too slow to meet the cell's needs.

Front

What is activation energy?

Back

The minimum energy required for a chemical reaction to occur.

Front

How do enzymes affect activation energy?

Back

Enzymes lower the activation energy required for reactions.

Front

What is a catalyst?

Back

A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed.

Front

What is the role of hydrochloric acid (HCl) in the stomach?

Back

It creates an acidic environment that activates pepsinogen into pepsin.

Front

What is denaturation in the context of enzymes?

Back

The process where an enzyme loses its functional shape, rendering it inactive.

Front

What is the relationship between enzyme structure and function?

Back

The specific shape of an enzyme determines its ability to bind to substrates and catalyze reactions.