AP Bio Insta-Review Topic 3.1: Enzyme Structure

Front

What is an enzyme?

Back

A protein that acts as a catalyst to speed up chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy.

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How do enzymes speed up chemical reactions?

Back

By decreasing the activation energy required for the reaction to occur.

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What happens to the enzyme after a reaction?

Back

The enzyme remains unchanged and can be used again for subsequent reactions.

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What is the active site of an enzyme?

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The specific region on the enzyme where the substrate binds.

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What is a substrate?

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The reactant molecule that an enzyme acts upon.

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What is the effect of an enzyme on the change in Gibbs free energy (ΔG)?

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Enzymes do not affect the change in Gibbs free energy; they only speed up the reaction.

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What is enzyme specificity?

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The ability of an enzyme to choose exact substrate from a group of similar chemical molecules.

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What are the factors that affect enzyme activity?

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Temperature, pH, substrate concentration, and the presence of inhibitors or activators.

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What is a cofactor?

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A non-protein chemical compound that is required for the biological activity of some enzymes.

Front

What is an inhibitor?

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A substance that decreases the activity of an enzyme.