M(2) Enzymes flashcards

These flashcards cover key definitions and concepts related to enzymes, their functions, and mechanisms, essential for understanding their role in biological reactions.

Enzyme

A protein that acts as a catalyst to speed up chemical reactions without being changed or used up.

Activation Energy

The energy needed to start a chemical reaction.

Substrate

The molecule(s) that an enzyme acts upon.

Active Site

The region on an enzyme's surface that is complementary in shape and chemistry to the substrate.

Enzyme-Substrate Complex

The complex formed when a substrate binds to an enzyme's active site.

Induced Fit

A phenomenon where the binding between an enzyme and substrate causes conformational changes that causes the substrates to bond more tightly to the enzyme

Inhibitor

A chemical molecule that can bind to an enzyme and slow or prevent the chemical reaction.

Competitive Inhibition

When an inhibitor binds to the active site of an enzyme, preventing the substrate from binding.

Non-Competitive Inhibition

When an inhibitor binds to a second site on the enzyme, changing the active site's shape and preventing substrate binding. another space for the inhibator

uncompetitive inhibition

is a type of enzyme inhibition where the inhibitor binds only to the enzyme-substrate complex, locking substrate in place and preventing the complex from releasing products/ product formation

Vmax

The maximal rate of a chemical reaction when the enzyme is saturated with substrate.

Cofactor

Inorganic ions that temporarily bind to an enzyme and help promote chemical reactions.

Coenzyme

Organic molecules that temporarily bind to an enzyme and participate in the chemical reaction, remaining unchanged afterward.

Prosthetic Groups

Small molecules that are permanently attached to an enzyme's surface and aid in function.

pH Sensitivity

The property indicating that enzyme function is affected by the acidity or alkalinity of the environment.

Pepsin

A protease enzyme that digests proteins into peptides, functioning best at acidic pH around 2.0.

Substrate Concentration

The amount of substrate present in a reaction, affecting the reaction rate.

Enzyme Affinity

The degree of attraction between an enzyme and its substrate.

Saturation

The condition where all active sites of an enzyme are occupied by substrates, leading to no increase in reaction rate despite more substrate.

Transition State

An unstable, high-energy state that molecules must reach during a chemical reaction.

substrate concentration(higher)

higher concentartion= higher rate of reaction

substrate concentration(lower)

lower concentration= low rate of reaction

Catalyst 

Substance that speeds up chemical reaction without being changed or used up

Conformational change 

Glucose is phosphorylated by ATP during glucosis, where ATP is used to convert glucose into glucose-6-phosphate, playing a role in energy production

Temperature(high)

Higher temperature means higher reaction rate because kinetic energy is increased and ability of binding with complex will increase. But higher temp than threshold means enzymes are destroyed

high affinity

enzymes recognize their substrates w/ high affinity which means they have a strong attraction for their substances, ensuring effective catalysis even at low concentrations.