Biology

• What should be kept as a control when investigating enzyme activity?


  No buffer, no enzyme, no substrate
• What is the dependent variable in the enzyme experiment?


  Enzyme activity
• Why is it important to control other factors in the enzyme experiment?


  To ensure accurate results regarding pH effects
• What is the independent variable in the enzyme experiment?


  pH
• What are the key control types needed for the enzyme experiment?


  • No buffer control
  • No enzyme control
  • No enzyme and no buffer control
  • No substrate control
• What does the no buffer control isolate in the experiment?


  The effect of pH from other factors
• What does the no enzyme control measure?


  Background substrate breakdown without the enzyme
• Why is the no enzyme control crucial in the experiment?


  To ensure changes are due to enzyme activity
• What is the purpose of the no buffer control?


  To provide a baseline measurement of enzyme activity
• What does the no enzyme and no buffer control measure?


  Spontaneous or non-enzymatic breakdown of substrate
• How does the no substrate control help in the experiment?


  It measures background enzyme activity without substrate
• Why is it important to measure background enzyme activity?


  To isolate the enzyme's interaction with substrate
• What does the no enzyme and no buffer control help to isolate?


  The effects of enzyme and pH buffer on substrate
• Why is controlling temperature important in enzyme experiments?


  Temperature affects enzyme activity and stability
• How does substrate concentration influence enzyme activity?


  Higher concentration increases reaction rate until saturation
• Why measure spontaneous reactions in enzyme kinetics?


  To account for non-enzymatic breakdown of substrate
• What is the relationship between enzyme concentration and reaction rate?


  Higher enzyme concentration increases reaction rate
• How do environmental factors impact enzyme activity?


  They can denature enzymes or alter activity
• What are enzymes defined as?


  Biological catalysts that speed up reactions
• How do enzymes function in chemical reactions?


  They speed up reactions without being consumed
• What are substrates in relation to enzymes?


  Reactants that enzymes act upon
• What is the role of the active site in enzyme activity?


  The substrate binds to the active site
• What does equilibrium refer to in a chemical reaction?

  State of balance with no net change
• What occurs at equilibrium in a chemical reaction?

  The rate of forward equals the rate of reverse
• How does temperature affect enzyme activity?


  Increases enzyme activity up to optimal temperature
• What happens to enzymes when temperature exceeds optimal levels?


  Enzymes can denature and lose function
• What does equilibrating enzyme and substrate solutions involve?


  Bringing them to desired temperature and equilibrium
• Why is equilibrating enzyme and substrate solutions critical?


  To ensure optimal enzyme activity for reactions
• What are the key reasons for equilibrating enzyme and substrate solutions?


  • Optimizes enzyme activity
  • Ensures consistent results
  • Allows accurate kinetic analysis
• What is the significance of equilibrating enzyme and substrate solutions?


  It standardizes starting conditions for reactions
• What does accurate kinetic analysis enable in enzyme reactions?


  Reliable measurement of reaction rates
• What are enzymes?


  Biological catalysts that speed up reactions
• How do enzymes speed up chemical reactions?


  By lowering the activation energy required
• What is the primary function of pepsin?


  To break down proteins
• What is the substrate for pepsin?


  The substrate for pepsin is protein
• What bonds does pepsin specifically target in proteins?


  Peptide bonds between amino acids
• What is unique about the active site of pepsin?


  It is complementary in shape to its substrate
• What role does the aspartic acid residue play in pepsin's active site?


  Acts as a proton donor in catalysis
• How do enzymes like pepsin bind to their substrates?


  Through induced fit mechanism
• What happens during the induced fit binding of pepsin to its substrate?


  The substrate fits snugly into the active site