Unit 1: Biochemistry - Chemical Reactions and Enzymes

Vocabulary flashcards reviewing core concepts of chemical reactions, energy transfer, and enzyme function from Unit 1: Biochemistry.

Chemical Reaction

A process that changes a set of chemicals into another set.

Reactants

Elements or compounds that cause a chemical reaction.

Products

The end result of a chemical reaction.

Exothermic Reaction

A chemical reaction in which energy is released, causing the surroundings to feel warm.

Endothermic Reaction

A chemical reaction in which energy is absorbed, causing the surroundings to feel cold.

Activation Energy

The energy needed to start a chemical reaction.

Enzyme

A biocatalyst that speeds up a reaction by lowering the activation energy.

Substrates

The reactants that bind to an enzyme.

Active Site

The region on an enzyme where substrates bind and reactants are brought together to react.

Lock-Key Model

A model illustrating how a substrate fits precisely into an enzyme's active site to form an enzyme-substrate complex.

Competitive Inhibitor

A factor that prevents enzyme activation by blocking the binding of the substrate.

Denaturation

The process where an enzyme loses its functional shape due to influences such as changes in temperature or extreme pH values.

Amylase

A specific example of an enzyme.

Lactase

A specific example of an enzyme.