Enzymes

Enzyme

A biological catalyst that speeds up a chemical reaction without being consumed.

Substrate

The substance on which an enzyme acts during a chemical reaction.

Active site

The specific region of an enzyme where the substrate binds and the reaction occurs.

Enzyme-substrate complex

The temporary structure formed when a substrate binds to the active site of an enzyme.

Amylase

An enzyme that breaks down starch into smaller carbohydrates.

Pepsin

An enzyme that breaks down proteins in the stomach.

Trypsin

An enzyme that breaks down proteins in the small intestine.

Hydrolase

An enzyme that catalyzes hydrolysis reactions by breaking chemical bonds using water.

Transferase

An enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of a functional group from one molecule to another.

Isomerase

An enzyme that catalyzes structural rearrangements within a molecule to form an isomer.

Oxidoreductase

An enzyme that catalyzes oxidation-reduction reactions.

Reductase

An enzyme that catalyzes reduction reactions.

Ligase

An enzyme that joins two molecules together using energy from ATP.

Cyclase

An enzyme that catalyzes the formation of a new ring structure in a molecule.

Substrate concentration

The amount of substrate available for an enzyme-catalyzed reaction.

pH

A factor that affects enzyme activity by changing the acidity or alkalinity of the environment.

Temperature

A factor that affects enzyme activity by influencing the rate of molecular movement and reaction.

Denaturation

The loss of an enzyme's functional shape, causing it to lose its activity.

Enzyme saturation

The condition in which all available enzyme active sites are occupied by substrate.

Inhibitor

A substance that decreases enzyme activity by binding to an enzyme.

Enzyme-catalyzed reaction

A chemical reaction whose rate is increased by an enzyme.

Catalysis

The process by which an enzyme speeds up a chemical reaction.

Substrate binding

The process in which a substrate attaches to the active site of an enzyme.

Enzyme-substrate complex formation

The process in which an enzyme and its substrate temporarily bind together.

Reaction

The chemical change that occurs while the substrate is bound to the enzyme.

Product release

The process in which the products of an enzyme-catalyzed reaction leave the active site.

Enzyme reuse

The process in which an enzyme remains unchanged after a reaction and can catalyze another reaction.

Increasing substrate concentration

The process of increasing the amount of substrate, which increases the initial reaction rate while sufficient active sites are available.

Optimal pH

The pH value at which an enzyme catalyzes a reaction most rapidly.

Optimal temperature

The temperature at which an enzyme functions most effectively.

High temperature

The condition that can cause an enzyme to denature and stop functioning.

Saturation point

The point at which adding more substrate no longer increases the reaction rate because the enzyme's active sites are occupied.

Enzyme inhibition

The process in which an inhibitor decreases the rate of an enzyme-catalyzed reaction.

Enzyme activity

The rate at which an enzyme catalyzes a chemical reaction.

Catalyst

A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed.