Enzymes and pH

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Enzyme Noun

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[en-zahym]

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Enzyme

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A protein that acts as a biological catalyst, speeding up chemical reactions without being consumed in the process.

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Example: This diagram shows an enzyme binding to a specific substrate at its active site, forming a complex, and then releasing the changed substrate as products.

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Denaturation Noun

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[dee-nay-chuh-rey-shuhn]

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Denaturation

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The process where an enzyme loses its functional three-dimensional shape due to factors like extreme pH or temperature, causing inactivity.

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Example: An enzyme, which is a folded protein, loses its specific shape and unfolds, a process called denaturation. This stops the enzyme from working correctly.

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Active Site Noun

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[ak-tiv sahyt]

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Active Site

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

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Example: An enzyme's active site is a specific region with a unique shape where a matching molecule, called a substrate, binds to it.

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Substrate Noun

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[suhb-streyt]

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Substrate

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The reactant molecule that an enzyme acts upon by binding to its active site to undergo a chemical reaction.

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

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Catalyze Verb

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[kat-l-ahyz]

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Catalyze

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To increase the rate of a chemical reaction without being permanently altered or consumed in the process itself.

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Example: An enzyme binds to a substrate, changes it into new products, and then releases them, remaining unchanged to catalyze another reaction.

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pH Noun

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[pee-eych]

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pH

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A scale used to specify the acidity or alkalinity of a solution, which is a critical factor for enzyme function.

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Example: The pH scale measures how acidic or alkaline a substance is, from 0 (very acidic) to 7 (neutral) to 14 (very alkaline).

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Optimal pH Noun

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[op-tuh-muhl pee-eych]

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Optimal pH

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The specific pH value at which an enzyme exhibits its highest level of catalytic activity and functions most efficiently.

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Example: This graph shows that an enzyme's reaction rate is fastest at a specific pH level, which is called its optimal pH.

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Protein Noun

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[proh-teen]

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Protein

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A large, complex molecule made of amino acids, whose specific folded structure is essential for its biological function.

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Example: This diagram shows that proteins are large molecules made by linking smaller units called amino acids into a chain, which then folds into a specific shape.

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Pepsin Noun

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[pep-sin]

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Pepsin

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A digestive enzyme found in the stomach that breaks down proteins and functions optimally in a highly acidic environment.

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Example: The image shows a chemical reaction where a large protein molecule (polypeptide) is broken down into smaller pieces, which is the function of the enzyme pepsin.

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Trypsin Noun

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[trip-sin]

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Trypsin

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A digestive enzyme in the small intestine that continues protein breakdown and functions best in an alkaline environment.

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Example: The enzyme Trypsin acts like molecular scissors to break down a long protein chain (polypeptide) into smaller pieces called polypeptide fragments.