Photosynthesis revision (2.4)

Question 1

Define photosynthesis

Answer 1

Photosynthesis is the process by which plants and some bacteria convert simple inorganic molecules into organic food molecules using light energy.

Question 2

Define enzymes

Answer 2

Enzymes are 3D globular proteins that act as biological catalysts as they increase the rate of a reaction.

Question 3

Define substrates

Answer 3

Substrates are the molecules an enzyme acts upon.

Question 4

Define active site

Answer 4

An enzyme active site is the site where the substrate binds to the enzyme

Question 5

Define enzyme-substrate complex

Answer 5

The structure that is formed when substrates bind to an enzyme.

Question 6

Define the lock and key model

Answer 6

A model of enzyme activity which states that substrates have specific shapes that allow them to fit perfectly into the active site of a particular enzyme.

Question 7

Define the induced fit model

Answer 7

A model of enzyme activity where enzymes are thought of as flexible structures that do not have the exact same shape as their corresponding substrate before binding

Question 8

Define inhibitors

Answer 8

Molecules that alter the shape of an enzyme’s active site or bind to the enzyme so the active site is blocked.

Question 9

Define co-factors

Answer 9

Molecules that bind to an enzyme’s active site, helping the reaction to take place.