Enzymes

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What are enzymes?

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Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in living organisms.

Front

What is the role of enzymes in chemical reactions?

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Enzymes speed up chemical reactions by decreasing the activation energy required for the reaction to occur.

Front

What is activation energy?

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

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What is a substrate?

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

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What is an active site?

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The active site is the specific region of an enzyme where the substrate binds.

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What are products in a chemical reaction?

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Products are the substances that are formed as a result of a chemical reaction.

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What factors affect enzyme activity?

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Enzyme activity can be affected by temperature, pH, and substrate concentration.

Front

What is the optimal temperature for most enzymes?

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Most enzymes have an optimal temperature around 37°C (98.6°F), which is the normal body temperature for humans.

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What happens to enzymes at high temperatures?

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At high temperatures, enzymes can denature, losing their shape and functionality.

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What is denaturation?

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Denaturation is the process in which an enzyme loses its three-dimensional structure, rendering it inactive.