🦠microbiology review

key term - Enzyme

Definition

An enzyme is a biological catalyst that speeds up chemical reactions in cells without being consumed. They are essential for metabolic processes.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. Enzymes lower the activation energy required for reactions, making them proceed faster.
  2. Each enzyme has an active site specifically shaped to bind to its substrate.
  3. Enzyme activity can be affected by environmental factors such as pH and temperature.
  4. Inhibitors can decrease enzyme activity by blocking the active site or changing its shape.
  5. Coenzymes and cofactors are non-protein molecules that assist enzymes in catalyzing reactions.

Review Questions