Enzymes

1. State at least three characteristics of enzymes.

2. How do enzymes speed up chemical reactions?

3. What term refers to the amount of energy needed to begin a chemical reaction?

4. Explain how changing the pH and/or salt concentration of a solution containing an enzyme can destroy the enzyme activity.

5. Explain how temperature can sometimes increase, sometimes decrease, and sometimes stop enzyme activity.

6. Using an example, describe how most enzymes are named.

7. How is it that each enzyme catalyses only one specific reaction.

8. Discuss the importance of enzymes to the life of a cell.

9. What is the purpose of a fever? Explain why a high fever is dangerous.

10. When Siamese cats are born, their coloration is very light over their entire body. After many months, fur on their ears, paws, tail and nose darkens (these parts of the body are cooler than the rest). From what you know about the effect of temperature on enzyme activity, propose a hypothesis that might account for this phenomenon.