Enzymes (Biology 007) Flashcards
What are enzymes?
Enzymes are ‘biological catalysts’ in which speed up chemical reactions
What are two types of enzyme reactions
Catabolic and Anabolic
What is an anabolic reaction
When substrates synthesize to create a complex and bigger products
What is a catabolic reaction
When substrates are broken down into smaller components
Is an enzyme a protein
Yes
What is a substrate
A substance in which an enzyme is able to act
What is an active site
The area of an enzyme in which the substrate is attracted to
What makes up an enzyme
Long chains of polypeptides folded together in a specific shape
What is ‘activation energy’
The minimum amount of energy needed for an enzyme to catalyze a reaction
What are the two main factors that affect enzyme activity
Temperature and pH level.
When is an enzyme at it’s most active state
When an enzyme is in it’s optimum conditions (eg. optimum temperature and pH level etc.)
What happens to the enzyme if it is exceeds past it’s optimum conditions
The enzyme will denature, causing the active site of the enzyme to change. Because of this, the substrate won’t be able to fit into the active site of the enzyme.
What is a coenzyme
An organic non-protein that is present before enzyme activity
What is a cofactor
An inorganic substance that assists enzyme activity (eg. potassium, zinc, iron)
What can inhibit enzyme activity
Inhibitors like heavy metals are able to mimic substrates and are able to attach themselves an active site of an enzyme, preventing the substrate to bind.
