Activation Energy and Enzymes

Front

What is activation energy?

Back

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

Front

How do catalysts affect activation energy?

Back

Catalysts decrease the activation energy required for reactions, allowing them to proceed more easily.

Front

What is the role of enzymes in biological reactions?

Back

Enzymes act as biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in living organisms by lowering the activation energy.

Front

What is the induced fit model of enzyme action?

Back

The induced fit model suggests that when an enzyme binds to its substrate, it changes shape slightly to fit the substrate more snugly.

Front

What happens to enzymes at high temperatures?

Back

Enzymes can become denatured at high temperatures, disrupting their structure and causing them to stop functioning.

Front

What is ATP and its role in cellular reactions?

Back

ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is an energy-carrying molecule that stores and releases energy for various cellular processes.

Front

What is the difference between endergonic and exergonic reactions?

Back

Endergonic reactions require energy input, while exergonic reactions release energy.

Front

What is 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 factors affect enzyme activity?

Back

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

Front

What is a substrate in the context of enzyme activity?

Back

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