AP Biology: Enzymes

Front

What is an enzyme?

Back

A biological catalyst that speeds up chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy.

Front

What is the optimum pH for an enzyme?

Back

The pH at which an enzyme exhibits maximum activity.

Front

What is activation energy?

Back

The minimum energy required for a chemical reaction to occur.

Front

What role do enzymes play in biological reactions?

Back

They decrease the activation energy needed for the reaction.

Front

What is the significance of enzyme specificity?

Back

Enzymes are specific to substrates, meaning each enzyme only catalyzes a specific reaction.

Front

What is a substrate?

Back

The reactant molecule upon which an enzyme acts.

Front

What is the active site of an enzyme?

Back

The region on the enzyme where the substrate binds and the reaction occurs.

Front

What is the effect of temperature on enzyme activity?

Back

Enzyme activity typically increases with temperature up to a certain point, after which it denatures.

Front

What is denaturation in enzymes?

Back

The process in which an enzyme loses its three-dimensional structure and, consequently, its activity.

Front

What is the role of cofactors in enzyme activity?

Back

Cofactors are non-protein molecules that assist enzymes in catalyzing reactions.