Enzymes and Catalysts in Biology

A set of flashcards covering key concepts related to enzymes, their functions, and characteristics as biological catalysts.

Enzymes

Proteins that function as biological catalysts to speed up chemical reactions in living organisms.

Catalyst

A substance that speeds up a chemical reaction and is not changed by the reaction.

Activation Energy

The minimum energy required to initiate a chemical reaction.

Lock-and-Key Hypothesis

A model describing how an enzyme's active site is complementary to the shape of its specific substrate, allowing for the formation of an enzyme-substrate complex.

Induced-Fit Hypothesis

A model that describes how the active site of an enzyme changes shape to better fit the substrate when they bind, facilitating the chemical reaction.

Enzyme Specificity

The concept that enzymes are selective and will only catalyze specific reactions with certain substrates.

Optimal Temperature for Enzymes

The temperature at which an enzyme exhibits maximum activity, typically between 35-40°C for most enzymes.

Effects of pH on Enzymes

Enzyme activity can be affected by pH; each enzyme has an optimal pH range where it functions best.

Enzyme-Substrate Complex

The intermediate formed when an enzyme binds to its substrate.

Denaturation

The process by which an enzyme loses its functional shape and activity due to extreme conditions, such as high temperature or pH.