1.7: Enzyme Action Flashcards
What are enzymes
Globular proteins that act as catalysts
What do catalysts do
Alter the rate of a chemical reaction without undergoing permanent change themselves
Why are catalysts effective molecules
Because they can be used repeatedly and are therefore effective in small aounts
How does a catalyst work
A catalyst offers a reaction pathway with a lower activation energy. Therefore less energy is required
What is the structure of an enzyme
Enzymes have a specific functional region known as the active site.
This active site is the part of the molecule that a substrate can fit neatly into and form an enzyme-substrate complex.
What is a substrate
The molecule a specific enzyme is complementary to
What is the induced it model of enzyme action
In the presence of the substrate, the enzyme can freely mould its shape around the substrate to become complementary.
As the enzyme changes its shape, the enzyme puts a strain on the substrate molecule - distorting a particular bond and lowering the activation energy needed to break the bond
