enzymes

Enzyme

A biological catalyst that accelerates a chemical reaction.

Substrate

The substance upon which the enzyme acts.

Active Site

A specific region of the enzyme where the substrate binds.

Lock and Key Fit Model

A model suggesting the enzyme's active site is complementary in shape to the substrate.

Induced Fit Model

A model suggesting that the active site can change shape upon substrate binding to achieve a perfect fit.

Activation Energy

The minimum energy needed for a chemical reaction to occur.

Enzyme-Substrate Complex

The intermediate formed when an enzyme binds to its substrate.

Denaturing

The process where an enzyme loses its structural integrity due to extreme conditions.

Cofactors

Inorganic non-protein molecules that assist enzymes in catalysis.

Coenzymes

Organic non-protein molecules that assist enzymes in catalysis.

Allosteric Inhibitors

Molecules that bind to an enzyme at a site other than the active site, reducing enzyme activity.

Allosteric Activators

Molecules that enhance enzyme activity by causing structural changes.

Competitive Inhibitor

A molecule that resembles the substrate and competes for binding to the active site.

Feedback Inhibition

A regulatory mechanism where the end product of a metabolic pathway inhibits an enzyme acting earlier in the pathway.

Effects of Temperature on Enzyme Activity

Enzyme activity increases with temperature to an optimal point and decreases thereafter.

Influence of pH on Enzyme Activity

Different enzymes have optimal pH levels where they function best, and deviations can decrease activity.

Increasing Enzyme Concentration

Leads to an increased reaction rate due to more available enzymes for catalysis.

Increasing Substrate Concentration

Can increase the reaction rate up to saturation point where all active sites are occupied.