atoms
Carbon-12 has 6 protons and 6 neutrons and is stable and most common isotope, while carbon-14 has 6 protons and 8 neutrons and is unstable and radioactive
It can increase temperature speeds up a reaction because molecules move faster and collide more often. However, extreme heat can denature enzymes by breaking their structure, which decreases or stops the reaction.
If energy refers to heat or kinetic energy, it can increase reaction rates by providing molecules with more activation energy. However, too much energy can damage molecules or denature enzymes.
A lower concentration of substrate reduces the frequency of enzyme-substrate collisions, slowing the reaction rate.
Most enzymes have an optimal pH. Extreme basic (high pH) conditions can alter the enzyme’s shape and charge properties, leading to reduced activity or denaturation.
An oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction involves the transfer of electrons between molecules. Oxidation is the loss of electrons, while reduction is the gain of electrons. These reactions are crucial in energy production, such as in cellular respiration. Or when one substance loses electrons (oxidation) and another gains electrons (reduction).
Competes with the substrate for the enzyme’s active site, reducing reaction speed by preventing substrate binding.
It binds to a site other than the active site, changing the enzyme’s shape and reducing its ability to catalyze the reaction, making it not work properly.
Increases enzyme activity by enhancing its shape or stability, making the active site more effective.
Humans can digest plant starch and amylose because we have enzymes (a.k.a amylase) that recognize and break their alpha-glycosidic bonds. However, cellulose has beta-glycosidic bonds, which human digestive enzymes cannot break. This illustrates enzyme specificity, meaning enzymes only work on specific substrates with the correct bond structure.