Introduction to Enzymes Flashcards
1
Q
What are Enzymes?
A
- Biological Catalysts
2
Q
Why are enzymes Biological catalysts?
A
- They speed up metabolic reactions
- They remain unchanged at the end of the reaction, so they can be used again and again
3
Q
What is an ‘turnover number’?
A
- The number of substrate molecules converted
- A small number of enzyme molecules can convert a large number of substrate molecules into products per second.
4
Q
What are some advantages of enzymes compared to chemical catalysts?
A
- They are more specific - usually one enzyme catalysed one specific reaction
- Function well in conditions that sustain life
5
Q
How are enzymes PROTEINS?
A
- Either TERTIARY or QUATERNARY structure
- Their structure/shape is determined by the sequence of amino acids in the primary protein, which then twists and folds in a specific way
6
Q
What do the different R groups determine?
A
- How it folds
7
Q
Why is the specific 3D shape of the active site of the enzyme crucial?
A
- It will be complementary to the shape of just one type of substrate/combination of substrates.
8
Q
What happens when enzymes have KINETIC ENERGY?
A
- They randomly collide with each other.
