Introduction to Enzymes

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What is an enzyme?

An enzyme is a protein that acts as a biological catalyst to speed up a chemical reaction.

How do enzymes work to speed up chemical reactions?

Enzymes lower the activation energy needed for a reaction, allowing it to occur faster.

What is the active site of an enzyme?

The active site is the region of an enzyme where the substrate binds and the chemical reaction occurs.

What is the enzyme-substrate complex?

The enzyme-substrate complex is formed when the substrate binds to the active site of the enzyme.

What is a coenzyme?

A coenzyme is a non-protein compound that is necessary for the functioning of an enzyme.

What factors can affect enzyme activity?

Temperature, pH, and substrate concentration can affect enzyme activity.

What is enzyme specificity?

Enzyme specificity refers to the tendency of enzymes to catalyze a specific set of chemical reactions or to act on a specific substrate.

How does temperature affect enzyme activity?

Enzyme activity typically increases with temperature to a point, but high temperatures can denature the enzyme, reducing its activity.

What is enzyme denaturation?

Enzyme denaturation is the process where the enzyme's structure is disrupted, leading to a loss of activity.

What is an inhibitor in enzyme activity?

An inhibitor is a molecule that binds to an enzyme and decreases its activity.

What are competitive inhibitors?

Competitive inhibitors are molecules that bind to the active site of an enzyme, preventing the substrate from binding.

What are non-competitive inhibitors?

Non-competitive inhibitors bind to an enzyme at a different site than the active site, changing the enzyme's shape and reducing its activity.

Why are enzymes important in biology?

Enzymes are important because they facilitate and speed up the biochemical reactions that occur in living organisms.

What is the lock and key model?

The lock and key model suggests that the enzyme's active site is the exact fit for a specific substrate, like a key fitting into a lock.

What is the induced fit model?

The induced fit model proposes that the active site of an enzyme changes shape to accommodate the substrate binding.