enzymes

• What are enzymes?


  Biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in living organisms
• What role do enzymes play in digestion?


  They break down food molecules
• How do enzymes contribute to metabolism?


  They convert nutrients into energy
• What is the role of enzymes in DNA replication?


  They copy genetic material
• How do enzymes facilitate cellular respiration?


  They produce ATP for energy
• What is an example of an enzyme found in saliva?


  Amylase
• What is the basic structure of enzymes?


  Enzymes are typically proteins with a complex 3D structure
• What is the primary structure of an enzyme?


  The sequence of amino acids
• What is the secondary structure of an enzyme?


  Local folded structures like α-helices and β-sheets
• What is the tertiary structure of an enzyme?


  The overall 3D shape of the protein
• What is the quaternary structure of an enzyme?


  Multiple protein subunits (if applicable)
• Why is the 3D shape of an enzyme important?


  It creates the specific area where the enzyme can do its job
• What is the active site of an enzyme?


  A specific region where the chemical reaction takes place
• What happens during substrate binding?


  The substrate fits into the active site, forming an enzyme-substrate complex
• What is the induced fit model?


  It suggests that the enzyme's active site is flexible and changes shape slightly when the substrate binds
• What is the lock-and-key model?


  It suggests that the enzyme's active site and the substrate have complementary shapes
• What does enzyme specificity mean?


  It refers to the ability of an enzyme to selectively catalyze a particular reaction or act on a specific substrate
• What is substrate specificity?


  Enzymes can distinguish between very similar substrate molecules
• What is reaction specificity?


  Some enzymes catalyze only one type of chemical reaction
• What is stereochemical specificity?


  Enzymes can differentiate between stereoisomers
• What factors affect enzyme activity?


  Temperature, pH, substrate concentration, enzyme concentration, inhibitors, and activators
• What happens to enzymes at high temperatures?


  They can denature, losing their shape and function
• What is the optimal temperature for enzymes?


  The temperature range at which enzymes function most efficiently
• What is the optimal pH for enzymes?


  The pH level at which an enzyme is most active and stable
• What happens to enzyme activity at very high substrate concentrations?


  The reaction rate plateaus due to enzyme saturation
• How does enzyme concentration affect reaction rates?


  More enzyme typically means faster reactions
• What are inhibitors?


  Substances that decrease enzyme activity
• What are activators?


  Substances that increase enzyme activity
• What does optimal mean in the context of enzymes?


  It refers to the best or most favorable condition for enzyme function
• What would happen to an enzyme's activity if the pH is changed from its optimal pH?


  The enzyme's activity would likely decrease
• What is the relationship between enzyme structure and function?


  The 3D shape of an enzyme determines its active site and how it interacts with substrates