Enzyme Characteristics and Functions

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Questions and Answers

What are enzymes primarily made of?

Lipids

Carbohydrates

Nucleic acids

Proteins (correct)

Enzymes are made by non-living organisms.

False

What shape do enzymes have?

Specific shapes (3D)

Do each chemical reactions have a specific enzyme?

Yes Signup and view all the answers

Enzymes are permanently changed after reactions.

False Signup and view all the answers

What do enzymes do in relation to activation energy?

Catalyze chemical reactions by lowering activation energy Signup and view all the answers

Enzymes can only exist in an active form.

False Signup and view all the answers

Some enzymes require cofactors to become active.

True Signup and view all the answers

What is activation energy?

Amount of energy that must be overcome for the reaction to proceed Signup and view all the answers

What type of reactions does oxidoreductase catalyze?

Oxidation-reduction reactions Signup and view all the answers

What does transferase do?

Transfer functional group Signup and view all the answers

What type of reaction is catalyzed by hydrolases?

Hydrolysis Signup and view all the answers

What do lyases do?

Removal of atom without hydrolysis Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of isomerase?

Rearrangement of atoms Signup and view all the answers

What does ligase do?

Joining of molecules; uses ATP Signup and view all the answers

What factors affect enzyme activity?

Temperature, pH, Substrate Concentration Signup and view all the answers

What type of inhibitor competes with the normal substrate for the active site?

Competitive inhibitor Signup and view all the answers

What is a non-competitive inhibitor also known as?

Allosteric inhibitor Signup and view all the answers

What do feedback inhibitors do?

Inhibit initial step of metabolic pathway Signup and view all the answers

What is an apoenzyme?

Inactive enzyme Signup and view all the answers

Match the following enzyme types with their functions:

Oxidoreductase = Oxidation-reduction reactions Transferase = Transfer functional group Hydrolase = Hydrolysis Lyase = Removal of atom without hydrolysis Isomerase = Rearrangement of atoms Ligase = Joining of molecules; uses ATP Signup and view all the answers

What regulates enzyme synthesis and activity?

Cellular control Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Enzyme Characteristics

Enzymes are primarily proteins, serving as biological catalysts.
Produced by living organisms, enzymes play vital roles in biochemical reactions.
Enzymes possess specific three-dimensional shapes, which makes them larger than their substrates.
Each type of chemical reaction is associated with a specific enzyme, ensuring efficiency and specificity.
Enzymes are not consumed or permanently altered during reactions, allowing them to be reused.
They catalyze reactions by lowering the activation energy required, speeding up the process.

Enzyme Forms and Activation

Enzymes can exist in both active and inactive forms within a cell, allowing for regulation.
Some enzymes require cofactors (non-protein molecules) to achieve their active form, integral to their function.

Activation Energy

Activation energy is the minimum energy required for a chemical reaction to occur.

Enzyme Categories

Oxidoreductase: Catalyze oxidation-reduction reactions.
Transferase: Responsible for transferring functional groups between molecules.
Hydrolase: Enzymes that facilitate hydrolysis reactions.
Lyase: Remove atoms from molecules without the need for hydrolysis.
Isomerase: Enzymes that catalyze the rearrangement of molecular structures.
Ligase: Join two molecules together, utilizing ATP in the process.

Factors Affecting Enzyme Activity

Temperature: Variation can enhance or inhibit enzyme activity based on optimal conditions.
pH: Enzymes have specific pH ranges wherein they function best, and alterations can disrupt activity.
Substrate Concentration: Similar to the analogy of workers building a brick wall, enzyme efficiency increases with the availability of substrates until a saturation point is reached.

Inhibitors of Enzyme Activity

Inhibitors can reduce enzyme activity and are classified as:
- Competitive Inhibitors: Compete with the substrate for the active site and are characterized as aggressive.
- Non-competitive Inhibitors: Also known as allosteric inhibitors, they bind to parts of the enzyme other than the active site.
- Feedback Inhibitors: End-products of a metabolic pathway inhibit the initial step, helping regulate the pathway's flow.

Enzyme States and Regulation

Apoenzyme: A form of an enzyme that is inactive, requiring a cofactor for activation.
Cellular Control: Involves regulation of enzyme synthesis and activity to maintain metabolic balance and respond to cellular needs.

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Description

Explore the fascinating world of enzymes with this quiz covering their characteristics, forms, and roles in biochemical reactions. Understand how enzymes act as catalysts and their importance in lowering activation energy. Test your knowledge on enzyme categories and the regulatory mechanisms that govern their activity.