5.5

• Enzymes- specialized proteins that are the main catalysts of chemical reactions in organisms.
• Catalysts- compounds that speed up the chemical reaction.
• Activation energy- the energy needed to start up a chemical reaction
• Substrate- a specific reactant acted upon by an enzyme.
• Active site- a particular region of the enzyme where the substrate fits into.
• Hot molecules are strong enough to overcome the weak bonds
• An enzyme doesn't supply the activation energy to the reacting molecules but they lower the requirements for it to happen.
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Concept Check 5.5

• Explain the role of activation energy in a reaction. How does and enzyme affect activation energy?

• The activation energy provides the amount of energy needed to start a chemical reaction. An enzyme lowers the requirement of energy that is needed to activate the chemical reaction.

• Describe how a substrate interacts with an enzyme.

• A substrate is a specific reactant acted upon by an enzyme. It helps the enzyme to fit into a specific area.