Enzymes

Front

What are enzymes?

Back

Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in living organisms by lowering the activation energy required for the reaction.

Front

What factors can change the shape of an enzyme?

Back

Excessive heat and changes in pH can denature enzymes, altering their shape and function.

Front

What is the primary function of enzymes in biological systems?

Back

The primary function of enzymes is to catalyze chemical reactions, facilitating processes such as digestion and metabolism.

Front

What happens to enzymes when they are exposed to high temperatures?

Back

High temperatures can alter the shape of enzymes, leading to denaturation and loss of function.

Front

What is activation energy?

Back

Activation energy is the minimum energy required for a chemical reaction to occur.

Front

How do enzymes affect activation energy?

Back

Enzymes lower the activation energy needed for a reaction, allowing it to proceed more quickly.

Front

What is a substrate in the context of enzyme activity?

Back

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

Front

What is the enzyme-substrate complex?

Back

The enzyme-substrate complex is a temporary molecule formed when an enzyme binds to its substrate.

Front

What is meant by enzyme specificity?

Back

Enzyme specificity refers to the ability of an enzyme to select and catalyze a specific substrate among many possible candidates.

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 or substrate.