Chemical Reactions and Enzymes

Vocabulary flashcards covering chemical reactions, reactants, products, activation energy, exothermic/endothermic processes, and enzyme mechanics.

Enzyme

A protein catalyst that controls chemical reactions in cells by lowering the activation energy needed to start a reaction. It does not get used up by the reaction and can be used again.

Substrate

The substance that an enzyme acts upon. Each substance type has its own special enzyme type that fits like puzzle pieces (lock + key).

Active site

The place on the enzyme that binds to the substrate.

Enzyme-substrate Complex

The intermediate complex formed when a substrate binds to the enzyme before forming products.

Chemical reactions

Processes that change substances into different substances by breaking and forming chemical bonds.

Reactants

The starting substances or 'stuff' going into a chemical reaction.

Products

The substances or 'stuff' that are made (produced) by a chemical reaction.

Activation energy

The energy needed to start a chemical reaction.

Exothermic reaction

A chemical reaction that releases energy and gets hot.

Endothermic reaction

A chemical reaction that absorbs energy and gets cold.