Enzymes Flashcards
what is a substrate
substance that an enzyme converts into products in a catalysed reaction
what is an active site
a special region on the surface of the enzyme to which the substrate(s) bind
enzyme-substrate specifically exists due to matching shapes
how do catalysts work
they lower the activation rate of a reaction and speed up the reactions without being altered themselves
what is activation energy
energy needed to be gained by the reactant before the reaction can start
what are the 3 signs of enzyme activity
substrate binds to active site
while bound, change into products
products separate from active site, leaving it vacant to be used again
can only bind to active site if moves close to it - random movements
what is an allosteric site
a site on the enzyme separate from the active site to which the allosteric regular binds
what is an inhibitor
when the allosteric regulator binds to the allosteric site, there is a conformational change in the active site so the substrate cannot bind to it
what is an activator
when the allosteric regulator binds to the allosteric site there is a conformational change in the active site so the substrate can bind to it
list 3 factors that can affect the rate of activity of an enzyme
temperature
pH
substrate concentration
what is the immobilisation of an enzyme
restrict their movement to keep them separate from other products
recycled easily
increases their stability to changes in temperature and pH to create faster reactions
what are the uses of lactose in food processing
creation of lactose-free milk
galactose and glucose sweeter than lactose so less sugar needs to be added to foods
what are enzymes
globular proteins that work as catalysts
