Enzymes and Catalysts

A collection of vocabulary flashcards that cover key terms and concepts related to enzymes and catalysts from the lecture notes.

Enzyme

A protein or RNA molecule that acts as a catalyst to speed up a reaction without being consumed.

Cofactor

Nonprotein helpers required for enzyme activity.

Activation energy barrier

The energy needed for reactant molecules to achieve their transition state.

Transition state

An unstable, higher energy state that molecules achieve during a reaction.

Competitive inhibitor

A molecule that resembles an enzyme's substrate and competes for binding to the active site.

Noncompetitive inhibitor

A molecule that binds to an enzyme and inhibits its activity without competing with the substrate.

Allosteric regulation

Any case where a protein's function at one site is affected by the binding of a regulatory molecule to a different site.

Feedback inhibition

A metabolic pathway is inhibited by the binding of its end product to an enzyme that catalyzes one of the steps in that pathway.

Induced fit

The change in shape of an enzyme when it binds to a substrate, enhancing the enzyme's ability to catalyze the reaction.

∆G (Gibbs free energy)

A thermodynamic property that indicates the spontaneity of a reaction.

Spontaneous reaction

A reaction that occurs without outside intervention, characterized by a negative ∆G.

Reversible reaction

A chemical reaction that can proceed in both forward and reverse directions.

Extremophile

An organism adapted to live in extreme environmental conditions.

Enzyme-substrate complex

The intermediate formed when an enzyme binds its substrate.

Reaction rate

The speed at which a chemical reaction proceeds.

Enzymatic activity

The ability of an enzyme to catalyze reactions, often influenced by environmental conditions.

pH effect on enzymes

The degree to which enzyme activity is affected by the acidity or alkalinity of their environment.

Temperature effect on enzymes

The optimal temperature range where enzyme activity is maximized before denaturing.

Gibbs free energy change

A measure of the energy available to do work during a reaction.

Hydrolytic enzymes

Enzymes that catalyze the breakdown of compounds by the addition of water.

Catalysis

The process of speeding up a chemical reaction by a catalyst.