Enzymes Flashcards
What is activation energy?
The amount of energy required in order for reactant molecules to begin a reaction
What is a catalyst?
A substance that speeds up a chemical reaction without being chemically changed by the reaction
How do you catalyst affect the activation energy of a reaction?
It lowers the activation energy for a reaction
What are the catalyst that our bodies use?
Enzymes are biological catalysts
The molecules acted upon by enzymes are known as ___________
Substrate
Why do metabolic processes like photosynthesis and respiration rely on enzymes?
They happen so slowly that organisms would die without them
What are three factors that influence the rate at which an enzyme functions?
- pH
- temperature
- amount of substance
What is metabolism?
All of the chemical reactions that occur within the body
