Enzymes: Biological Catalysts of Life

Catalyst

A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without itself undergoing any permanent chemical change.

Enzyme

A substance produced by a living organism which acts as a catalyst to bring about a specific biochemical reaction.

Activation Energy

The minimum energy required for a reaction to occur

Enzyme-substrate complex

A temporary molecule formed when the substrate binds to the enzyme.

Substrate

The substance upon which an enzyme acts to catalyze a chemical reaction

Active site

The specific region on an enzyme where a substrate binds and undergoes a chemical reaction, facilitating the enzyme's catalytic function

Denaturation

Occurs when an enzyme loses its native conformation, or three-dimensional structure, rendering it unable to bind to substrate and catalyze product formation

Cofactor

A non-protein chemical compound that is essential for the catalytic activity of an enzyme or other protein