Enzymes Vocab

Catabolic Reaction

Reactions where molecules are broken into simpler molecules (exergonic)

Anabolic Reaction

Simpler molecules joined to make complex molecules (endergonic)

Exergonic Reaction

Reactions where energy is released (AB→A+B)

Endergonic Reaction

Reactions where energy is gained (A+B→AB)

Activation Energy

The minimum energy needed for the reaction to occur.

ATP

an unstable source of energy

Enzyme

A biological catalyst that lowers activation energy

Substrate

the molecules an enzyme binds to and catalyzes a reaction on

Enzyme-substrate complex

A temporary structure formed when when an enzyme binds to the substrate

Product

The outcome of a chemical reaction

Active Site

The location where the substrate binds to the enzyme

Cofactor

Binds to the active site to make the enzyme active/speed up - small non-protein molecule

Competitive Inhibitor

Competes with substrate for active site- slows reaction

Non-competitive Inhibitor

Inhibitors that bind away from the active site, changing the enzyme’s shape. Vmax will not be reached.

Gibbs free energy 

Visualizes the energy in a chemical reaction

Catalyst

Enzymes that speed reactions by lowering activation energy