Enzymes and Macromolecules

Front

What is a catalyst?

Back

A substance that speeds up a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process.

Front

What effect does an enzyme have on activation energy?

Back

Enzymes decrease the activation energy required for a chemical reaction to occur.

Front

What are the four major classes of macromolecules?

Back

Carbohydrates, Proteins, Lipids/Fats, Nucleic Acids.

Front

What is an enzyme?

Back

A protein that acts as a catalyst to speed up biochemical reactions.

Front

What is a substrate?

Back

The reactant molecule upon which an enzyme acts.

Front

What is the active site of an enzyme?

Back

The specific region of an enzyme where the substrate binds.

Front

What is the role of enzymes in biological systems?

Back

Enzymes facilitate and accelerate biochemical reactions necessary for life.

Front

What factors affect enzyme activity?

Back

Temperature, pH, substrate concentration, and enzyme concentration.

Front

What is denaturation in relation to enzymes?

Back

The process by which an enzyme loses its functional shape due to external stress, affecting its activity.

Front

What is the lock and key model?

Back

A model that explains how enzymes and substrates fit together perfectly, like a key fits into a lock.