CP - Chemical Reactions and Enzymes

chemical reaction

the process by which one or more substances change to produce one or more different substances; must create something NEW

Law of Conservation of Matter

the law that states that matter is not created nor destroyed in any chemical or physical change

Law of Conservation of Energy

the law that states that energy cannot be created or destroyed but can be changed from one form to another

reactant

a substance that takes part in and undergoes change during a reaction; always found on the left side of a chemical equation

product

a substance that forms in a chemical reaction; always found on the right side of a chemical equation

activation energy

the minimum amount of energy required to start a chemical reaction

catalyst

substance that speeds up the rate of a chemical reaction

enzyme

a substance produced by a living organism that acts as a catalyst to bring about a specific biochemical reaction; typically ends in -ase

substrate

reactant of an enzyme-catalyzed reaction

enzyme-substrate complex

a temporary complex formed when an enzyme binds to its substrate molecule(s)

denature

characteristic of proteins; a change in shape that stops the protein from functioning

optimal

best or most favorable