Enzymes and Catalase Function

These flashcards cover key concepts related to enzymes, particularly focusing on catalase, and the factors that affect their activity.

Enzyme

A biological catalyst that accelerates a chemical reaction without being consumed.

Metabolism

The sum of all chemical reactions occurring within an organism.

Catabolism

The process of breaking down larger molecules into smaller ones, releasing energy.

Anabolism

The process of building larger molecules from smaller ones, consuming energy.

Activation Energy

The minimum energy required to initiate a chemical reaction.

Substrate

The reactant molecule that an enzyme acts upon.

Enzyme-Substrate Complex

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

Active Site

The specific region on an enzyme where the substrate binds.

Catalase

An enzyme that catalyzes the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen.

Effects of pH on Catalase Activity

Catalase activity can be significantly affected by changes in pH; extreme pH levels can denature the enzyme.

Effects of Temperature on Catalase Activity

Changes in temperature can affect the rate of the catalase reaction; too high temperatures may denature the enzyme.

Dependent Variable

The variable that is measured in an experiment (e.g., the amount of oxygen produced by catalase).

Independent Variable

The variable that is changed or controlled in an experiment (e.g., pH level or temperature).

Control Variable

The variable that remains constant throughout the experiment to ensure valid results.