C1.1 Enzymes and metabolism SL Flashcards
The sum of all chemical processes occurring in a living organism
Metabolism
The synthesis of complex molecules from simpler ones, e.g., protein synthesis
Anabolism
The breakdown of complex molecules into simpler ones, e.g., glucose breakdown
Catabolism
Proteins with a unique 3D shape, crucial for their specific functions
Enzyme Structure
Enzyme Role
Biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions without being consumed
The region on an enzyme where substrate molecules bind and undergo a chemical reaction
Active Site
Substrate Specificity
Enzymes are specific to substrates due to the unique fit at the active site.
Enzyme-Substrate Complex
The intermediate formed when a substrate binds to an enzyme’s active site
Denaturation
Loss of enzyme’s structure and function due to external stress, like pH or temperature
Activation Energy
The minimum energy required to start a chemical reaction
Effect of Enzymes on Activation Energy
Enzymes lower the activation energy, speeding up the reaction
Temperature Effect on Enzyme Activity
Optimal activity at specific temperatures; extreme temperatures can denature enzymes
pH Effect on Enzyme Activity
Enzymes have optimal pH levels; deviation can lead to denaturation
Substrate Concentration Effect
Increasing concentration enhances reaction rate up to a saturation point
Lock and Key Model
The model where the enzyme’s active site fits precisely with the substrate
Induced Fit Model
The model where the enzyme’s active site adjusts to fit the substrate
Enzyme Inhibition
Process where a molecule decreases the activity of an enzyme
Competitive Inhibition
Inhibitor competes with substrate for the enzyme’s active site
Non-competitive Inhibition
Inhibitor binds to an enzyme at a site other than the active site
Allosteric Site
A site on an enzyme where a molecule (not a substrate) can bind, affecting function
Feedback Inhibition
End product of a metabolic pathway inhibits an enzyme involved in its synthesis
Reaction Rate
The speed at which reactants are converted into products
Measuring Enzyme Activity
Quantified by the rate of substrate conversion or product formation
Describes the rate of enzymatic reactions with varying substrate concentrations
Michaelis-Menten Kinetics
Show reaction rate vs. substrate concentration, temperature, or pH
Enzymatic Reaction Graphs
