The role of enzymes as biological catalysts in metabolic reactions Flashcards
What is a metabolic reaction?
A chemical reaction that takes place in a cell
What is the metabolism of a cell?
The sum of all the metabolic reactions
What is an extracellular enzyme?
Enzymes that function outside cells
What is an intracellular enzyme?
Enzymes that function inside cells
What is secretion?
The release of a fluid or substances from a cell or tissue
Enzymes are b…
…Biological enzymes
What is a catalyst?
A chemical that speeds up a reaction without being used up itself
Genes —->
Proteins (enzymes) —–> catalase reactions
Why are enzymes needed?
Body temp is too slow so reactions would be slow
Without catalysts the reactions would be too slow for life to go on.
The reactions can only go quick enough if there are enzymes present
What is the substrate?
The molecule the an enzyme acts on
What is the active site?
A small area on the enzymes surface
What does an enzyme do?
Lower the activation energy
The lock and key model…
…
Enzymes can turn large molecules into more smaller ones…
…or the opposite way
