Questions and Answers
What is the function of an enzyme?
What is a substrate?
A compound or molecule that an enzyme binds to and on which it acts.
What forms when an enzyme binds to its substrate?
Enzyme-substrate complex
What is a product in the context of enzymatic reactions?
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What is the active site of an enzyme?
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What is activation energy?
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What does denaturation refer to?
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Define a metabolic pathway.
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What is an anabolic pathway?
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What characterizes a catabolic pathway?
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What do endergonic reactions require?
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What is ATP?
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What is a catalyst?
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What is a biological catalyst?
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Explain the lock and key hypothesis.
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What does the induced fit hypothesis propose?
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Define optimum activity.
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What is optimum pH?
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What is optimum temperature?
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What is a limiting factor?
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What does thermophilic mean?
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What are cofactors?
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Define coenzymes.
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What is an apoenzyme?
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What characterizes a holoenzyme?
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What is a prosthetic group?
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Define competitive inhibition.
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What is non-competitive inhibition?
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What is catalase?
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What is an independent variable?
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What is a dependent variable?
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What are intracellular enzymes?
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What are extracellular enzymes?
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What does specificity mean in the context of enzymes?
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What does substrate concentration refer to?
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What does enzyme concentration refer to?
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Study Notes
Enzymes Overview
- Enzymes are proteins that act as catalysts, speeding up chemical reactions by lowering activation energy without being consumed.
- Each enzyme binds to a specific substrate, forming an enzyme-substrate complex during the reaction.
Key Terms
- Substrate: The molecule an enzyme acts upon.
- Product: The substance produced after the chemical reaction.
- Active Site: The portion of the enzyme where the substrate binds and the reaction occurs.
Reaction Dynamics
- Activation Energy: The energy needed to initiate a reaction.
- Denaturation: The process where proteins lose their functional structure due to extreme pH, salt concentration, or temperature changes.
Metabolic Pathways
- Metabolic Pathway: Series of enzymatic reactions that build (anabolic) or break down (catabolic) molecules.
- Anabolic Pathway: Involves constructing larger molecules from smaller units.
- Catabolic Pathway: Involves breaking down larger molecules into smaller components.
Energy and Reactions
- Endergonic Reactions: Require energy input to proceed.
- Exergonic Reactions: Release energy during the process.
Energy Carrier
- ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate): Major energy currency in cells used in many metabolic processes, including enzyme-driven reactions.
Catalyst Functions
- Catalyst: A substance that accelerates a chemical reaction without undergoing permanent chemical change.
- Biological Catalyst: Often refers to enzymes that enhance biological reactions.
Enzyme Action Models
- Lock and Key Hypothesis: Suggests that a substrate fits perfectly into the enzyme's active site.
- Induced Fit Hypothesis: Proposes that the enzyme's active site adjusts to better fit the substrate upon binding.
Optimal Conditions
- Optimum Activity: Ideal conditions for maximum enzyme efficiency.
- Optimum pH: The specific pH level at which an enzyme operates best.
- Optimum Temperature: The best temperature for enzyme activity to maximize reaction rates.
Factors Influencing Enzymatic Activity
- Limiting Factor: A scarce resource that can slow down the rate of reaction.
- Cofactors: Essential molecules (metal ions or organic coenzymes) required for enzyme function.
- Coenzymes: Small organic molecules, often derived from vitamins, that assist enzyme catalysis.
Enzyme Structure
- Apoenzyme: The protein component of an enzyme that needs a cofactor to be active.
- Holoenzyme: The fully active form of an enzyme that contains its cofactor(s).
- Prosthetic Group: A non-protein component that permanently attaches to and is essential for the enzyme's function.
Inhibition Mechanisms
- Competitive Inhibition: Occurs when a substance mimics the substrate's structure and competes for the active site.
- Non-competitive Inhibition: Involves a substance binding to a different location on the enzyme, altering its shape and function.
Types of Enzymes
- Catalase: An enzyme found in living organisms that breaks down hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen.
- Intracellular Enzymes: Enzymes that function within cells.
- Extracellular Enzymes: Enzymes that act outside their production site, e.g., digestive enzymes.
Reaction Parameters
- Specificity: Refers to the ability of an enzyme to catalyze only one type of reaction.
- Substrate Concentration: The concentration level of substrates available for enzyme reactions.
- Enzyme Concentration: The amount of enzyme present in a solution, affecting reaction rates.
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Description
Explore the key concepts of enzymes with this set of flashcards. Learn about the role of enzymes, substrates, and the enzyme-substrate complex. Perfect for students looking to enhance their understanding of biochemistry.