Enzyme Graphs

Front

Enzyme Noun

---

[en-zahym]

Back

Enzyme

---

A biological protein that acts as a catalyst to speed up a specific biochemical reaction by lowering its activation energy.

---

Example: This diagram shows how a substrate molecule fits into the specific active site of an enzyme, like a key in a lock, to form a complex.

Front

Activation Energy Noun

---

[ak-tuh-vey-shuhn en-er-jee]

Back

Activation Energy

---

The minimum amount of energy required for reactants to undergo a specific chemical reaction and form products.

---

Example: This graph uses the analogy of getting out of bed to show activation energy: the initial energy boost needed to start a process or reaction.

Front

Denaturation Noun

---

[dee-ney-cher-ey-shuhn]

Back

Denaturation

---

The process where an enzyme's structure is altered by extreme conditions, like temperature or pH, causing it to lose function.

---

Example: An enzyme loses its specific folded shape, a process called denaturation, which stops it from working correctly.

Front

Optimal Range Noun

---

[op-tuh-muhl reynj]

Back

Optimal Range

---

The specific range of conditions, such as temperature and pH, under which an enzyme functions at its highest activity.

---

Example: This graph shows an enzyme's reaction rate changes with temperature, peaking at the 'optimal temperature' where the enzyme is most effective.

Front

Active Site Noun

---

[ak-tiv sahyt]

Back

Active Site

---

The specific region of an enzyme that binds to the substrate molecule and where the chemical reaction is catalyzed.

---

Example: This diagram shows how a substrate fits into a specific location on an enzyme, called the active site, to form an enzyme-substrate complex.

Front

Substrate Noun

---

[suhb-streyt]

Back

Substrate

---

The reactant molecule that an enzyme binds to at its active site to undergo a chemical reaction.

---

Example: This diagram shows a substrate, the specific molecule that fits into the active site of an enzyme, much like a key fits into a lock.

Front

Kinetic Energy Noun

---

[ki-net-ik en-er-jee]

Back

Kinetic Energy

---

The energy that a substance possesses due to the motion of its particles, influencing collision frequency in reactions.

---

Example: This image shows kinetic energy by depicting an arrow in motion after being released from a bow, contrasting it with the stored potential energy.

Front

Complementary Adjective

---

[kom-pluh-men-tuh-ree]

Back

Complementary

---

Describes the corresponding shapes of a substrate and an enzyme's active site that allow them to bind together specifically.

---

Example: An enzyme's active site has a specific shape that is complementary to its substrate, allowing them to bind together like a lock and key.

Front

Alkaline Adjective

---

[al-kuh-lahyn]

Back

Alkaline

---

Having the properties of a base or containing alkali, characterized by a pH value greater than 7.

---

Example: This diagram shows the pH scale, where values above 7, like ammonia, are considered basic or alkaline.

Front

Rate of Reaction Noun

---

[reyt uhv ree-ak-shuhn]

Back

Rate of Reaction

---

The speed at which a chemical reaction proceeds, measured by the change in concentration of reactants or products over time.

---

Example: This graph shows that as a reaction proceeds over time, the amount of reagents (starting materials) decreases while the amount of products (what is made) increases.