Enzymes Flashcards

Flashcards to review key concepts about enzymes, including their structure, function, and how temperature and pH affect enzyme activity.

What is protein?

An enzyme is primarily made of this type of molecule.

What is catalysis?

The process that enzymes catalyze to speed up reactions in cells.

What is the active site?

The region on an enzyme where the substrate binds.

What is the Lock and Key Theory?

The model that describes how enzymes bind specifically to their substrates.

What is an enzyme-substrate complex?

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

What is the substrate?

The molecule that is broken down or built up by an enzyme.

What is the product?

The type of molecule that is produced after the enzyme acts on the substrate.

What is DNA?

The location where the instructions to make enzymes are written.

What are genes?

Sections of DNA that code for specific proteins, including enzymes.

What are amino acids?

Molecules linked in chains that fold into enzymes with specific active sites.

What is the optimum temperature?

The temperature at which an enzyme's activity is at its highest.

What is denaturing?

What happens to an enzyme when it is exposed to extremes of temperature or pH, causing it to lose its function?

What is pH?

The measure of acidity or alkalinity that affects enzyme activity.

What is the optimum pH?

The pH at which an enzyme is most active.