Chapter 1: The Chemical Reaction

Vocabulary flashcards covering key enzyme concepts from Chapter 1.

Enzyme

A biological catalyst that speeds up chemical reactions by lowering activation energy without changing the overall chemical reaction or its products.

Active site

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

Substrate

A molecule that binds to an enzyme's active site and is converted into products during catalysis.

Lock-and-key model

A model in which the substrate fits the enzyme's active site exactly like a key fits a lock.

Induced fit

A model in which the enzyme changes shape slightly to better accommodate the substrate, much like a glove forming to fit a hand.

-ase suffix

A common ending for enzyme names, suggesting an enzyme and often hinting at the reaction type.

Activation energy

The energy barrier that must be overcome for a reaction to proceed; enzymes lower this barrier.

Enzymes’ effect

Enzymes speed up a reaction but do not alter the reaction’s overall identity or final products.