Unit 7.2 Flashcards
What is an enzyme and what does it do?
An enzyme is a protein that works as a catalyst, speeding up chemical reactions in living organisms.
What is a substrate?
A substrate is a reactant that bind to an enzyme.
What is the active site of an enzyme?
The active site of an enzyme is the part of the protein where the substrate fits and binds to it.
What is a product?
A product is the molecule(s) created from the substrate by the chemical reaction catalyzed by the enzyme.
True / False:
Each enzyme has a unique substrate that only fits it.
True
Why does the concentration of enzymes or substrates affect the reaction rate of enzyme function?
If there are more of one part (enzyme or substrate) than the other, the maximum reaction rate will be capped, as there will only be a certain number of reactions that can take place.
How does temperature affect the reaction rate of enzyme function?
Reaction rates speed up as temperature increases, but past a certain point, the increased temperature will begin to cause denaturation, quickly decreasing the reaction rate.
How does pH affect the reaction rate of enzyme function?
Each enzyme has its own optimum pH range in which its reaction rate is the fastest. If the pH level changes, the reaction rate will begin to slow, until eventually causing denaturation at the extreme pH levels.
What is activation energy energy in relation to enzymes?
Activation energy in the minimum amount of energy that is required for a chemical reaction to occur.
What does an enzyme inhibitor do?
Enzyme inhibitors block the active site of an enzyme, impeding the protein from reacting with a substrate.
