AP Bio Insta-Review Topic 3.3: Environmental Impacts on Enzyme

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What is an enzyme?

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A protein that acts as a catalyst to speed up chemical reactions in biological systems.

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What is the active site of an enzyme?

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The specific region of an enzyme where substrate molecules bind and undergo a chemical reaction.

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What is a competitive inhibitor?

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A substance that binds to the active site of an enzyme, competing with the substrate for binding.

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What is a noncompetitive inhibitor?

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A substance that binds to an enzyme at a site other than the active site, changing the enzyme's shape and function.

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What happens to an enzyme when it is denatured?

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The enzyme loses its three-dimensional structure, resulting in a loss of function.

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Is denaturation of an enzyme always irreversible?

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No, denaturation can sometimes be reversible depending on the conditions.

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What effect does temperature have on enzyme activity?

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Enzyme activity generally increases with temperature up to a certain point, after which it may denature.

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What is the role of pH in enzyme activity?

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

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How can the effects of a competitive inhibitor be overcome?

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By increasing the concentration of the substrate (reactants).

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What is the relationship between enzyme concentration and reaction rate?

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Increasing enzyme concentration generally increases the reaction rate, provided there is enough substrate.