Biomolecules and Enzymes

Aldehydes, such as glutaraldehyde and formaldehyde, act as disinfectants by cross-linking proteins and nucleic acids, which inactivates them.

Catalase is the enzyme that breaks down hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen, protecting the cell from oxidative damage.

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is the universal genetic material for all known living organisms. It encodes the instructions for life.

Proteins are polymers composed of amino acid monomers linked by peptide bonds. The sequence of these amino acids determines the protein's function.

Albumin is a globular protein, meaning it is folded into a compact, spherical shape. Globular proteins are typically water-soluble and perform various functional roles.

Proteins are built from amino acids and are essential for maintaining cell structure (e.g., cytoskeleton) and function.

The suffix -ase is the standard naming convention for enzymes. Other biomolecules have different naming conventions, such as -ose for many carbohydrates.

When an enzyme loses its 3D structure due to heat, pH, or other factors, it is denatured. Denatured enzymes can no longer function because their active site shape is altered.

The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14 and measures the acidity or alkalinity of a solution, which significantly impacts enzyme activity. The other options are either parts of an enzyme or outcomes of environmental stress.

The active site is the specific region on an enzyme where substrate molecules bind and undergo a chemical reaction. It is shaped to fit specific substrates.

Enzymes are specialized proteins that catalyze biological reactions. They are composed of amino acid chains folded into specific shapes.

Carbon atoms form the structural framework or backbone of biological molecules like proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids.

A sol is a colloidal suspension of solid particles in a liquid, which is less viscous than a gel (the solid-like state).

A zymogen is an inactive precursor of an enzyme. Chymotrypsinogen is the inactive form that is converted into the active enzyme chymotrypsin.