Enzymes as Catalysts Flashcards
How do enzymes make reactions happen faster?
Enzymes lower the activation energy of the reaction
Are enzymes specific or non-specific catalysts?
Enzymes are highly specific catalysts
Are enzyme reactions affected by temperature?
Yes, both high and low temperatures can affect enzyme activity
Do enzymes change the position of the equilibrium?
No, enzymes do not change the position of the equilibrium; they only speed up the rate at which equilibrium is reached.
Are enzyme catalysed reaction reversible or irreversible?
Most enzyme catalysed reaction are reversible.
What is the role of enzymes in chemical reactions?
Enzymes act as biological catalysts to increase the speed of reactions without being consumed by the reaction.
What does the specific activity of an enzyme measure?
Specific activity = Activity per milligram of total protein.
What happens to an enzyme when exposed to buffers of various pH in terms of its overall charge?
Its overall charge changes (due to the ionization of amino acids at different pH levels).
How can the activity of an enzyme be affected by changes in pH?
pH influences the enzyme’s shape and the ionisation of functional groups, which can impact its ability to bind substrates.
Does the isoelectric point of an enzyme change when exposed to buffers of various pH?
No, the isoelectric point is a specific pH at which the enzyme has no net charge. While pH affects enzyme charge, it does not change the enzyme’s isoelectric point.
