Enzymes Biology

What is the primary function of enzymes in living organisms?

What is the term for the specific region on an enzyme that binds to the substrate?

What is the term for the process by which an enzyme undergoes a conformation change to position the substrate for reaction?

What type of enzyme catalyzes the hydrolysis of molecules?

What is the term for the process by which the product of a reaction inhibits an earlier step in the pathway?

What is the term for the binding of molecules to allosteric sites, affecting enzyme activity?

What is the main function of the mitochondria in a cell?

What is the purpose of the Golgi apparatus in a cell?

What is the term for the jelly-like substance inside the cell where metabolic processes take place?

What is the function of enzymes in chemical reactions?

What is the characteristic of enzymes that allows them to bind only to specific substrates?

What is the term for the molecule that binds to the active site of an enzyme, allowing the reaction to take place?

Enzymes

Definition

Biological molecules, typically proteins, that speed up chemical reactions in living organisms
Not consumed or altered in the reaction, allowing them to catalyze multiple reactions

Characteristics

High specificity: Each enzyme is specific to a particular reaction or substrate
Optimum pH and temperature: Enzymes work best within a specific pH and temperature range
Activation energy: Enzymes reduce the energy required for a reaction to occur

Mechanism of Action

Active site: A specific region on the enzyme that binds to the substrate
Substrate binding: The substrate fits into the active site, forming an enzyme-substrate complex
Conformation change: The enzyme undergoes a conformation change, positioning the substrate for reaction
Product formation: The reaction occurs, and the product is released

Types of Enzymes

Oxidoreductases: Catalyze oxidation and reduction reactions
Transferases: Facilitate the transfer of functional groups between molecules
Hydrolases: Catalyze the hydrolysis of molecules
Ligases: Form covalent bonds between molecules
Isomerases: Catalyze the rearrangement of molecular structures
Lyases: Catalyze the cleavage of molecules without hydrolysis

Inhibition and Regulation

Competitive inhibition: Inhibitor binds to the active site, preventing substrate binding
Non-competitive inhibition: Inhibitor binds to an allosteric site, altering the enzyme's shape
Allosteric regulation: The binding of molecules to allosteric sites affects enzyme activity
Feedback inhibition: The product of a reaction inhibits an earlier step in the pathway

Learn about enzymes, biological molecules that speed up chemical reactions in living organisms. Understand their definition, characteristics, mechanism of action, types, and regulation. Test your knowledge with this quiz!