Enzymes

Front

What is an enzyme?

Back

A biological catalyst that speeds up chemical reactions in living organisms.

Front

What is the optimum temperature for most enzymes?

Back

Typically around 37 degrees Celsius, but can vary for different enzymes.

Front

What is the role of enzymes in metabolism?

Back

Enzymes increase the rate of the chemical reactions carried out during metabolism.

Front

What is a substrate in enzymatic reactions?

Back

The reactant molecule that an enzyme acts upon.

Front

What happens to an enzyme during denaturation?

Back

The shape of the active site changes, and the enzyme can no longer function.

Front

What is the optimum pH for salivary amylase?

Back

6.2, which is slightly acidic.

Front

What is an active site?

Back

The specific region of an enzyme where the substrate binds.

Front

What is enzyme specificity?

Back

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

Front

What factors affect enzyme activity?

Back

Temperature, pH, substrate concentration, and enzyme concentration.

Front

What is a cofactor?

Back

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