Enzymes Flashcards
What are enzymes made of?
Protein
What are proteins made of?
Amino Acids
What makes one protein different from another?
The order of the amino acids
State 3 reasons why enzymes are described as biological catalysts.
- They are made in living cells
- They speed up chemical reactions
- They are not used up during the reaction
Structurally, why are enzymes specific to a substrate?
The shape of the active site of the enzyme is complementary to the shape of the substrate
What does specific mean?
One enzyme reacts with one substrate
What is the chemical called the enzyme reacts with?
Substrate
What is the chemical called that results from a reaction with the enzyme?
Product
What is it called when the substrate is broken down into a smaller product?
Degradation
What is it called when a substrate is built up into a bigger product?
Synthesis
Give an example of a degradation reaction.
SAM - Starch is broken down by Amylase into Maltose
Give an example of a synthesis reaction.
GPS
Glucose - 1- Phosphate is built up by Phosphorylase into Starch
What does the term optimum mean?
The condition at which the enzyme is most active
State 2 factors that can affect how active an enzyme is.
Temperature and pH
What is the optimum temperature for an enzyme?
37-40oC (check the graph)
