Biology: Enzymes

substrate molecule

-the substance on which the enzyme acts--is usually much smaller than the enzyme

substrate

A compound which is involved in a chemical reaction and is chemically changed by the reaction.

amino acids

A giant enzyme molecule is composed of

organism

An ? cannot live without enzymes

simultaneously.

An enzyme may react with several substrate chemicals

cofactor

An inorganic metal or small organic molecule which attaches to the protein portion of the enzyme and plays an important role in activating that enzyme.

optimal

Conditions in which enzymes are most active

enzyme-substrate complex

Enzymes temporarily unite with one or more substrate molecules to form an

they may not be able to react

If the reactants found in a cell are removed from the cell how will they behave chemically?

active site

The region on the surface of an enzyme molecule where the substrate molecule binds and reacts with the enzyme.

to act as a catalyst in chemical reactions.

Why are enzymes necessary

Enzymes

are produced at the direction and translation of DNA and RNA respectively

Enzyme

large protein

Enzymes are sensitive to

pH and temperature of their environment

enzymes

proteins that were found to be accelerating chemical processes in the cell (specialized form of catalyst)

Catalysts

substances that speed up chemical reactions, but remain chemically unaltered at the end of the reaction

enzymes are

vital to lowering the required activation energy for reactions in living organisms.

enzyme cofactors mentioned in the lesson

vitamins iron copper cobalt zinc calcium