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A Level Biology: Topic 1 (Edexcel) > Enzymes > Flashcards

Flashcards in Enzymes Deck (15)
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1
Q

What is an enzyme?

A

A biological catalyst that changes the rate of reaction without changing the substances involved

2
Q

What kind of proteins are enzymes?

A

Globular proteins

3
Q

Why can enzymes only catalyse specific reactions?

A

Their active sites are a specific shape to fit with the substrates

4
Q

What are anabolic reactions?

A

Where new chemicals are created

5
Q

What are catabolic reactions?

A

Where substances are broken down

6
Q

What are intracellular enzymes?

A

They have an effect inside the boundaries of the cell

7
Q

What are extracellular enzymes?

A

They have an effect outside the boundaries of the cell

8
Q

What are the two hypothesis for enzyme action?

A

Induced fit

Lock and key

9
Q

Which is the correct hypothesis for enzyme action?

A

Induced fit

10
Q

How does the lock and key hypothesis work?

A

The substrates are an exact fit to the active site so form an enzyme-substrate complex. The active site has an effect on the bonds of the substrate and breaks it apart.

11
Q

How does the induced fit hypothesis work?

A

The active site is flexaible and changes shape to accomodate the substrate. When the complex is formed, the active site turns back to it’s original shape which pulls the substrate apart.

12
Q

What are the two reversible ways enzymes can be inhibited?

A

Competitive

Non-competitive

13
Q

What is competitive inhibition?

A

The inhibitor is a similar shape to the substrate and competes for spaces at the active site. It makes it less likely that an enzyme-substrate complex will form.

14
Q

What is non-competitive enzyme inhibition?

A

The inbititor joins to the enzyme and temporarily changes the shape of the active site so an enzyme-substrate complex can’t be formed

15
Q

What is the irriversable inhibition of enzymes?

A

The inhibitor makes a permentant covalent bond to one of the groups needed for an enzyme-substrate complex to be formed so nothing else can bind.