Enzymes key words Flashcards
A protein that acts as a catalyst and so lowers the activation energy needed for a reaction
Enzyme
Energy required to bring about a reaction
Activation energy
A group of amino acids that makes up the region of an enzyme into which the substrate fits in order to catalyse a reaction
Active site
A substance that is acted on or used by another substance or process. Fits into the active site of an enzyme
Substrate
The intermediate formed when a substrate molecule interacts with the active site of an enzyme
Enzyme-substrate complex
Describes the relationship between the active site of an enzyme and the substrate molecule - the way in which they fit together
Complimentary
Describes how enzymes catalyse a certain chemical reaction
Specific
A mechanism of interaction between an enzyme and a substrate. As the substrate fits into the active site the active site of the enzyme changes shape in order to allow an enzyme-substrate complex to be formed
Induced fit
An analogy for how enzymes work - only the correclty sized key (substrate) fits into the key hole (active site) of the lock (enzyme)
Lock and key
The speed of a chemical reaction - can be worked out by looking at the decrease in concentration of a reactant over time or increase in concentration of a product over time
Rate of reaction
The energy of motion, observable as the movement of an object, particle or set of particles
Kinetic energy
A figure expressing the acidity or alkalinity of a solution on a logarithmic scale on which 7 is neutral, lower values are more acidic and higher values are more alkaline
pH
A substance which reduces the activity of an enzyme
Inhibitor
A form of inhibitor which binds to the active site of the enzyme preventing the binding of substrate
Competitive inhibitor
A form of inhibitor which does not bind at the active site of the enzyme which prevents the binding of substrate
Non-competitive inhibitor
