Water Macromolecules and Enzymes

Front

What is an enzyme?

Back

An enzyme is a type of protein that acts as a catalyst to speed up chemical reactions in biological processes.

Front

What type of macromolecule are enzymes?

Back

Enzymes are proteins.

Front

What is the active site of an enzyme?

Back

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

Front

What is capillary action?

Back

Capillary action is the ability of water to rise up a thin straw or move up a tree from the roots to the leaves due to adhesion and cohesion.

Front

What happens to an enzyme when it is denatured?

Back

When an enzyme is denatured, it loses its shape and, consequently, its ability to function properly.

Front

What factors can denature an enzyme?

Back

Changes in pH and temperature can denature an enzyme.

Front

What is the role of water in biological systems?

Back

Water is essential for life; it acts as a solvent, helps regulate temperature, and is involved in many biochemical reactions.

Front

What is surface tension?

Back

Surface tension is the cohesive force at the surface of a liquid that makes it behave like a stretched elastic membrane.

Front

What is the heat of vaporization?

Back

The heat of vaporization is the amount of energy required to convert a unit mass of a liquid into vapor without a change in temperature.

Front

Why does precipitation occur?

Back

Precipitation occurs because the droplets of water in the atmosphere become too heavy for the air to hold.