Unit 1-Lesson 7 Enzymes Flashcards
What is activation energy?
a certain amount energy that is required to begin any reaction
What is a catalyst?
a catalyst is a substance that speeds up a chemical reaction but is not used in reaction
How does a catalyst work?
a catalyst functions by lowering the activation energy of a reaction, allowing it to occur at a much faster rate
What is an enzyme?
an enzyme is a protein molecule that acts as a catalyst to increase the rate of reactions
In an enzyme-catalyzed reaction, what are the reactants called?
substrate
How does the induced-fit model system work?
substrates molecules bond to a particular site on a protein surface, called an active site, where catalysts take place
- active site and substrate must have compatible shapes for binding to occur
What is induced-fit model?
binding of the substrate causes the enzyme to change shape and better accommodate the substrate
What does the binding of a substrate to a active site produces?
the binding of a substrate to the active site produces on enzyme = substrate complex
How does an enzyme function?
every enzyme has an optimal temperature and pH at which it works best
What is the optimal pH for the human body?
7.35-7.45
What are some characteristics of co-enzymes?
- organic
- shuttle molecules from one enzyme to another
- Examples: NAD+ and FAD+
1. these usually get reduced to harvest energy
2. acts as electron carriers
What are some characteristics of co-factors?
- inorganic metal ions such as Zn 2+ and Mn 2+
they help draw out electrons from the substrate where bonds need to be broken