enzymes

Digestive Enzymes

Proteins that break down food in the stomach and small intestine, each with specific substrates they can act on.

Enzyme

A protein functioning as a catalyst in biochemical reactions, facilitating processes without being consumed.

Catalyst

A substance that speeds up a chemical reaction but is not used up in the reaction.

Enzyme-Substrate Complex

A temporary complex formed when an enzyme binds to its substrate.

Active Site

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

Lock-and-Key Model

An early model suggesting that the shape of an enzyme’s active site is a static fit for the shape of its substrate.

Induced-Fit Model

A model of enzyme activity that describes how an enzyme changes shape to accommodate its substrate.

Denaturation

The process by which a protein loses its functional structure due to factors such as pH or temperature.

Activation Energy

The energy required to initiate a chemical reaction.

Intracellular Enzyme

An enzyme that functions inside the cell that produces it, speeding up metabolic reactions.

Extracellular Enzyme

An enzyme that is produced by cells but acts outside of the cells.

Saturation Point

The point at which all active sites of an enzyme are filled with substrate, resulting in maximum reaction rate.

Inhibition

The process of blocking enzyme activity, often through specific inhibitors.

Substrate

A substance that enters a reaction; also referred to as a reactant or precursor.