Enzymes

Enzymes

Biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in the body without being consumed.

Specificity

The ability of enzymes to catalyze specific reactions due to their unique active site shape.

Activation Energy

The minimum amount of energy required for a chemical reaction to occur.

Lock and Key Model

A model suggesting the enzyme's active site is specifically shaped to fit a particular substrate.

Induced Fit Model

A model where the enzyme's active site changes shape to better accommodate the substrate.

Competitive Inhibitors

Inhibitors that compete with the substrate for the active site of the enzyme.

Non-competitive Inhibitors

Inhibitors that bind to a site other than the active site and alter the enzyme's shape.

Apoenzymes

Enzymes that require additional non-protein molecules to be active.

Coenzymes

Organic molecules that serve as cofactors, often acting as carriers during reactions.

Negative Feedback

A regulatory mechanism in which a change in a physiological variable triggers a response that counteracts the change.