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Definition

Activation energy

The energy required to break chemical bonds and begin the reaction

Definition

Active site

The small portion of enzyme molecule (around 34 amino acids) that is directly involved in catalysis

Definition

Amylase

The enzyme that digests starch into disaccharides 

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Definition

Anabolism

The chemical reactions in living organisms involved in the synthesis of compounds 

Definition

Biocatalyst

The catalyst in metabolic reactions i.e. the enzyme

Definition

Catabolism

The chemical reactions in living organisms that breakdown larger molecules

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Definition

Catalyst

A compound/element accelerates a chemical reaction without any change in itself. 

Definition

Coenzyme

The organic cofactors of enzymes that are loosely attached to enzymes; transport chemical groups from one enzyme to another 

Definition

Cofactor

The non-protein molecules or ions required by enzymes for activity e.g., metal ions and organic molecules 

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Definition

Denaturation

Damage or loss of structure of a molecule 

Definition

Optimum pH

The pH at which an enzyme works at its maximum rate 

Definition

Optimum temperature

The temperature at which an enzyme works at its maximum rate 

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Definition

Enzyme

The proteins that catalyze (i.e. speed up) biochemical reactions but are not changed during the reactions 

Definition

Enzyme-substrate complex

The complex formed by the attachment of the substrate molecule at the active site of an enzyme 

Definition

Lipase

The enzyme that digests the lipids into glycerol and fatty acids

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Definition

Lock-and-key model

In the model to explain the mechanism, of enzyme action, both the enzyme and the substrate possess specific complementary geometric shapes that fit exactly into one another

Definition

Metabolism

Collective term for all the biochemical reactions that occur in living organisms to maintain life 

Definition

Product

The molecules that are formed as the result of enzymatic reaction 

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Definition

Saturation

The state at which all the active sites of the enzymes are occupied and any more substrate molecules do not find free active sites 

Definition

Substrate

The molecules at the beginning of enzymatic reactions, reactants in enzymatic reactions 

Definition

Inhibitor

The molecules that stop enzymes from working 

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Definition

Prosthetic group

The organic cofactors of enzymes that are tightly bound to enzymes

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