enzyme key terms

• enzyme

  • a biological catalyst that can speed up the rate of reaction without being used itself. made of a large protein molecule.
• substrate

  • the chemical that fits into the active site of an enzyme
• lock and key model

  • only one type of substrate can fit into the active site of an enzyme, like a key fits into a lock
• denatured

  • when the active site of an enzyme changes shape and the substrate can no longer fit in. can be caused by pH or temperature.