Enzymes Flashcards
when a set of chemical compounds are transformed into a new set this is called
chemical reaction
can mass and energy diminish during a chemical transformation
its actually conserved, although the distribution of energy changes (some elements gain and others release energy)
the chemicals that enter a chemical reaction are called t?
reactants
the chemicals that result in a chem. reaction are called?
products
Which chemical reactions occur naturally: reactions that gain energy or reactions that release energy?
release energy (kinda like releasing a fart…its easy).
Do hydrogen and oxygen atoms release energy to form water?
yes. Its easy for them. thats why you see a lot of water and not a lot of pure oxygen.
Do all chemical reactions that release energy happen easily?
no. they need a jump start: called Activation energy (but more activation energy is needed for a chem. reaction that is adding energy to the products)
What is activation energy?
energy needed to get a chemical reaction started.
How do catalysts effect activation energy?
They speed up the process. Yet, they are not part of the chemical change.
How are enzymes related to catalysts?
They are proteins that act as catalysts by speeding up chem. reactions in cells.
What do enzymes do to activation energy in the cells.
They make it possible to need LESS activation energy. Carbonic anhydrase is an enzyme that speeds up the process to get rid of CO2 in our bodies faster so that we don’t die of CO2 poisoning.
Are enzymes very specific to what they catalyze with.
Yes. They link with only specific chemicals… that they refer to as their substrates.
What’s a substrate?
the reactants that bond only to specific enzymes. Carbon dioxide is a substrate to carbonic anhydrase.
Where does the substrate bind to on the enzyme?
active site…which has a very unique and specific shape (like a lock and key).
What environmental factors effect an enzyme hugely?
temp and pH level. you’ll only find a certain type of enzyme in the very acidic belly of a human.
