C1.1

Question 1

Define catalyst.

Answer 1

a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without itself undergoing any permanent chemical change.

Question 2

State the role of enzymes in the chemical reactions on which life is based. ​

Answer 2

Enzymes are proteins that act as catalysts to make the rate of chemical reactions faster and more efficient.
- lower the activation energy for a reaction to take place

Question 3

Enzymes _______ chemical reactions without being altered. Therefore, enzymes can be ______.

Answer 3

speed up, reused

Question 4

Define metabolism

Answer 4

The sum of all chemical reactions in an organism.

Question 5

Define specificity in relation to enzyme structure and function.

Answer 5

The enzyme’s active site can only bind with specific substrates. The ability of an enzyme to select a specific substrate from a range of chemically similar compounds is known as specificity. Charges have to align (+)(-) and shape has to fit together as a puzzle piece. The enzyme can then break the substrate or mold the substrates together.

Question 6

Outline how control of metabolism is regulated by enzymes.

Answer 6

The cell can control a metabolic pathway by the presence or absence of a particular enzyme. Cells have evolved to use feedback inhibition to regulate enzyme activity in metabolism.

Negative feedback loops doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing - refers to dampening or reversal of a condition.
Positive feedback loops doesn’t mean it’s a good thing - refers to increasing or amplifying change of a condition.

Question 7

Contrast anabolic and catabolic reactions.

Answer 7

Anabolism:
- builds molecules for body to function
- require energy input
- anabolic
Catabolism:
- breaks down big complex molecules into smaller, easier to absorb molecules.
- releases energy
- exergonic reaction

Question 8

List three examples of anabolic processes.