Enzymes (Pending for Completion) Flashcards
Chemical agents that speed up a chemical reaction.
Enzymes
Are enzymes consumed after use?
No, you fuck.
Enzymes usually end with what suffix?
-ase
Why are enzymes needed?
A spontaneous chemical reaction occurs without any requirement for outside energy, but it may occur so slowly that it is imperceptible.
Involves breaking or forming a bond.
Chemical Reaction
Before a reaction can proceed, the starting molecule needs to be what?
The molecule needs to be in a highly unstable state.
Would a reaction happen if a molecule is in a stable state?
Fuck no.
To be in an unstable state, the molecule needs to what?
Absorb energy.
Energy in molecules come from?
Thermal energy
The energy required to contort the reactant molecules.
Activation Energy
Energy needed to break the chemical bonds, the minimum amount of energy to start a chemical reaction.
Activation Energy
The lower the activation energy, the ___ it is for reactions to occur with ___ input.
With less energy input, the easier it is for reactions to occur.
A hurdle that needs to be overcome before a reaction can take place.
Activation Energy
*(The reactants need to have enough energy to overcome this hurdle before they can turn into products. Once the reactants have overcome the activation energy barrier, the reaction proceeds on its own as the products have lower energy than the reactants).
Enzymes are mostly proteins. What is the one and only exception?
Ribozymes (Ribosome enzymes)
Do enzymes change how much of the reactants turn into products?
No. The catalyst can speed up the reaction, but it doesn’t change the final product.
