Enzyme specificty

    Cards (8)

    • What is enzyme specificity?
      An enzyme only breaks down one specific type of substrate molecule
    • Give an example of an enzyme and its substrate.
      Protease enzymes break down protein but not starch
    • How does the shape of the active site relate to enzyme specificity?
      The shape of the active site will only fit one type of substrate molecule
    • What happens to other molecules that do not fit the active site?
      They will not be broken down or joined together
    • What is the lock and key model of enzyme action?
      The enzyme acts as the key to unlock or lock the substrate molecules
    • In the lock and key model, what is the substrate compared to?
      The substrate is the key and the active site is the lock
    • What are the key terms related to enzyme specificity?
      • Active site
      • Substrate
      • Enzyme
      • Specific
      • Complementary
    • Why can enzyme A break down substrate A but not substrate B?
      Enzymes are specific; substrate A is complementary to the active site of the enzyme
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