AP Biology Enzymes

Front

What is the active site of an enzyme?

Back

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

Front

What are enzymes primarily made of?

Back

Enzymes are primarily made of proteins.

Front

What is catabolism?

Back

Catabolism is the cellular process of breaking down large molecules into smaller ones, releasing energy.

Front

What is the role of an enzyme in a chemical reaction?

Back

An enzyme acts as a catalyst, speeding up the reaction by lowering the activation energy required.

Front

What is competitive inhibition?

Back

Competitive inhibition occurs when a molecule similar to the substrate competes for binding at the active site of the enzyme.

Front

What is allosteric regulation?

Back

Allosteric regulation involves the binding of a molecule at a site other than the active site, which can either enhance or inhibit enzyme activity.

Front

What is the difference between an enzyme's active site and its allosteric site?

Back

The active site is where substrates bind and reactions occur, while the allosteric site is where regulatory molecules bind to modulate enzyme activity.

Front

What factors can affect enzyme activity?

Back

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

Front

What is the significance of enzyme specificity?

Back

Enzyme specificity ensures that enzymes catalyze only specific reactions, which is crucial for maintaining metabolic pathways.

Front

What is the effect of pH on enzyme activity?

Back

Each enzyme has an optimal pH range; deviations can lead to decreased activity or denaturation.