Enzyme Basics

What is an enzyme?

• An enzyme is a biological molecule that acts as a catalyst to speed up chemical reactions in living organisms.

• An enzyme is a type of mineral found in rocks.

• An enzyme is a type of weather phenomenon.

• An enzyme is a type of plant cell.

What is the function of enzymes in biological systems?

• Enzymes function to store genetic information.

• Enzymes function as biological catalysts to speed up chemical reactions.

• Enzymes function to regulate body temperature.

• Enzymes function as structural components in cells.

How do enzymes speed up chemical reactions?

• Enzymes change the pH of the reaction environment

• Enzymes increase the temperature of the reaction

• Enzymes decrease the concentration of reactants

• Enzymes lower the activation energy barrier for chemical reactions.

What is the active site of an enzyme?

• The active site of an enzyme is where products are released.

• The active site of an enzyme is where substrate molecules bind and undergo a chemical reaction.

• The active site of an enzyme is where cofactors are stored.

• The active site of an enzyme is where allosteric regulators bind.

Explain the lock and key model of enzyme-substrate interaction.

• Enzymes and substrates fit together like a lock and key due to the specificity of the enzyme's active site.

• Enzymes and substrates resemble a lock and chain

• Enzymes and substrates are like a key and lock

• Enzymes and substrates interact like a lock and door

What factors can affect enzyme activity?

• Time of day, Weather conditions, Distance from the equator

• Temperature, pH, substrate concentration, enzyme concentration, presence of inhibitors or activators

What is the optimal pH for most enzymes to function?

• pH 5

• pH 7

• pH 3

• pH 10

What is denaturation of enzymes?

• Denaturation of enzymes is the process by which enzymes multiply rapidly

• Denaturation of enzymes is the process by which enzymes become more efficient

• Denaturation of enzymes is the process by which the enzyme loses its structure and function due to factors such as high temperature, extreme pH, or chemicals.

• Denaturation of enzymes is the process by which enzymes change their genetic code

Give an example of an enzyme and its substrate.

• Lipase and Glucose

• Pepsin and Sucrose

• Protease and Cellulose

• Amylase and Starch

• DNA polymerase and RNA

What are the different classes of enzymes based on the reactions they catalyze?

• dehydrogenases

• phosphorylases

• oxidoreductases, transferases, hydrolases, lyases, isomerases, ligases

• esterases