| Term | Definition |
|---|
| catalyst | A substance that speeds up a chemical reaction without being "used up" in the reaction. |
| enzyme | A biological catalyst; specialized proteins that speed up chemical reactions. |
| activation energy | The amount of energy that reactants must absorb before a chemical reaction will start. |
| active site | The site on an enzyme that attaches to a substrate. |
| substrate | The substance that an enzyme acts upon. |
| coenzymes | Metal ions or organic compounds that help enzymes. |
| inhibitors | Substances that block an enzyme's activity. |
| competitive inhibitor | An inhibitor that takes the place of a substrate in the active site. |
| non-competitive inhibitor | An inhibitor that alters an enzyme's function by changing its shape. |
| chemical reaction | A process that changes one set of chemicals into another set of chemicals (p. 49). |
| spontaneous reaction | Term used to describe a reaction that will occur without additional energy (p. 50). |
| reactant | Element or compound that enters into a chemical reaction. |
| product | A chemical substance formed as a result of a chemical reaction. |
| lock and key | Model of enzyme activity that explains how a particular enzyme will only fit with one particular type of substrate. |
| hydrolysis | Breaking down complex molecules by the chemical addition of water. |
| denature | A change in the shape of a protein (such as an enzyme) that can be caused by changes in temperature or pH (among other things). |
| law of conservation of mass | States that atoms are neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction. |
| Iodine | A solution that can be used as a starch indicator. Turns from amber color to dark purple/black in the presence of starch. |
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