Unit 1- Enzymes Flashcards
what are enzymes known as and what do they do
biological catalyst, used to speed up chem. reactions
how do enzymes work?
they lower activation energy
–> like lowering a hill so its easier to climb
what is a substrate
the reactant in an enzyme (what goes in)
like a key into a lock
what is denaturation
-how does this happen
when enzymes loose their shape, destroying their function as a result of intense heat or pH change
what are enzyme inhibitors
chemicals that stop or decrease enzyme action
what is non-competitive inhibition
when the inhibitor binds at an allosteric site, changing the enzymes shape, therefor preventing the enzyme from being able to bind with the substrate
what is competitive inhibition
when the inhibitor has a similar shape to the substrate and competes with the substrate to bind to the active site
what are activators
molecules that bind at an enzymes allosteric site to promote enzyme action
