enzymes Flashcards
1
Q
what is an enzyme
A
a biological catalyst and a globular protein
2
Q
a chain of reactions is…
A
a metabolic pathway
3
Q
the sum of reactions is….
A
metabolism
4
Q
what is an enzymes job
A
to break down and build molecules
5
Q
how do they catalyze specific reactions
A
enzymes have an active site that is specific to a certain substrate
6
Q
why are they temperature sensitive
A
at high temps the atoms vibrate rapidly, the weak bonds holding the tertiary structure break and the active site changes so it denatures
7
Q
why are they PH sensitive
A
h+ ions in acids and hydroxyl ions in alkalis disrupt the weak bonds and active site changes
