Ap Biology Enzymes

Front

What is an enzyme?

Back

An enzyme is a biological catalyst that speeds up the rate of a chemical reaction 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 the significance of the tertiary structure of an enzyme?

Back

The tertiary structure determines the enzyme's shape and functionality, including the configuration of the active site.

Front

How does pH affect enzyme activity?

Back

Changes in pH can alter the charge and shape of an enzyme, potentially denaturing it and affecting its activity.

Front

What is competitive inhibition?

Back

Competitive inhibition occurs when a substance competes with the substrate for binding to the active site of an enzyme.

Front

What is non-competitive inhibition?

Back

Non-competitive inhibition occurs when an inhibitor binds to an enzyme at a site other than the active site, reducing its activity regardless of substrate concentration.

Front

What is feedback inhibition?

Back

Feedback inhibition is a regulatory mechanism where the end product of a metabolic pathway inhibits an earlier step in the pathway.

Front

What role do cofactors play in enzyme activity?

Back

Cofactors are non-protein molecules that assist enzymes in catalyzing reactions, often by stabilizing the enzyme-substrate complex.

Front

What is the difference between an enzyme and a substrate?

Back

An enzyme is a catalyst that facilitates a reaction, while a substrate is the reactant that an enzyme acts upon.

Front

What is the effect of temperature on enzyme activity?

Back

Temperature affects enzyme activity; each enzyme has an optimal temperature range, and extreme temperatures can denature the enzyme.