Glossary
- Active Site
- specific region of the enzyme to which the substrate binds
- Anabolic Reaction
- reactions that build smaller molecules into larger molecules
- Catabolic Reactions
- reactions that break down larger molecules into their constituent parts
- Catalysts
- speed up/accelerate reactions
- Cellular Respiration
- production of ATP from glucose oxidation via glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation
- Chemical Energy
- the form of potential energy in which energy is stored in chemical bonds
- Competitive Inhibitors
- are molecules that fit in the enzyme binding site just like the normal substrate.
- Enzymes
- proteins that speed up chemical reactions, by lowering activation energy
- Irreversible Inhibitors
- bind to enzyme molecules in a simple chemical reaction that permanently blocks the enzyme's functioning. Cells or entire organisms must therefore produce more of the enzyme before they can process substrate again.
- Induced Fit Model
- dynamic fit between the enzyme and its substrate, in which both components modify their structures to allow for ideal binding
- Metabolic Pathway
- a series of chemical reactions that takes a starting molecule and modifies it, step-by-step, through a series of metabolic intermediates, eventually yielding a final product.
- Metabolism
- the sum total of all of the chemical reactions that go on to maintain that organism's health and life
- Non-Competitive Inhibitors
- are another type of reversible inhibitors. They are molecules that bind to enzyme molecules somewhere other than the main substrate binding site.
- Reversible Inhibitors
- bind temporarily to enzyme molecules, and so block enzyme function only temporarily. Where they bind determines how they affect enzyme function.
- Substrate
- The specific reactant that is acted on by an enzyme
Grant and Other Information
Except where otherwise noted, this work by The Community College Consortium for Bioscience Credentials is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Text from BioBook licensed under CC BY NC SA and Boundless Biology Open Textbook licensed under CC BY SA.
Other text from OpenStaxCollege licensed under CC BY 3.0. Modified by Alice Rudolph, M.A. for c3bc.
Instructional Design by Courtney A. Harrington, Ph.D., Helen Dollyhite, M.A. and Caroline Smith, M.A. for c3bc.
Media by Brittany Clark and Antonio Davis for c3bc
This product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration. The product was created by the grantee and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership.
