Basics of Enzymes

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What are enzymes?

Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in living organisms.

What is the general structure of an enzyme?

Enzymes are typically proteins with a complex, three-dimensional shape.

What is the active site of an enzyme?

The active site is the region on an enzyme where substrate molecules bind and undergo a chemical reaction.

How do enzymes lower activation energy?

Enzymes lower the activation energy by stabilizing the transition state, making it easier for the reaction to occur.

What is substrate specificity?

Substrate specificity refers to the ability of an enzyme to select and bind to specific substrate molecules.

What is the lock and key model?

It is a model explaining that the enzyme's active site is specific to the substrate, fitting together like a key in a lock.

What is the induced fit model?

The induced fit model suggests enzymes change shape to accommodate the substrate after binding.

What effect does temperature have on enzyme activity?

Temperature can increase enzyme activity up to a point, after which high temperatures can denature enzymes.

How does pH affect enzyme function?

Enzymes have an optimal pH range; deviation from this range can cause denaturation, reducing activity.

What are cofactors?

Cofactors are non-protein molecules that assist enzymes in catalyzing reactions.

What distinguishes competitive from non-competitive inhibition?

Competitive inhibitors bind to the active site, while non-competitive inhibitors bind elsewhere, changing the enzyme's shape.

How do allosteric enzymes function?

Allosteric enzymes have sites where regulatory molecules can bind, affecting the enzyme's activity.

What is enzyme denaturation?

Denaturation involves the structural modification of an enzyme, leading to loss of function.

What is the role of an enzyme in metabolism?

Enzymes accelerate metabolic processes, facilitating complex reactions within cells.

Why are enzymes important in biological systems?

They allow metabolic reactions to occur at necessary speeds to sustain life at biological temperatures.