AP BIOLOGY - ENZYME VOCABULARY
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
2025 /2026
Feedback inhibition - ANSWER-A method of metabolic control in which the end
product of a metabolic pathway acts as an inhibitor of an enzyme within that
pathway.
Allosteric regulation - ANSWER-The binding of a regulatory molecule to a protein at
one site that affects the function of the protein at a different site.
Anabolic pathway - ANSWER-A metabolic pathway that consumes energy to
synthesize a complex molecule from simpler compounds.
It builds things up... For example, from monomers to polymers.
Catabolic pathway - ANSWER-A metabolic pathway that releases energy by
breaking down complex molecules to simpler compounds.
It breaks things down... For example, from polymers to monomers.
Catalyst - ANSWER-A chemical agent that selectively increases the rate of a
reaction without being consumed by the reaction.
Coenzyme - ANSWER-An organic molecule serving as a cofactor (any nonprotein
molecule or ion that is required for the proper functioning of an enzyme).
Examples are vitamins that help with reactions but aren't specifically part of one.
Competitive inhibitor - ANSWER-A substance that reduces the activity of an enzyme
by entering the active site in place of the substrate whose structure it mimics.
Metabolism - ANSWER-The totality of an organism's chemical reactions, consisting
of catabolic and anabolic pathways, which manage the material and energy
resources of the cell.
enzyme-substrate complex - ANSWER-A temporary complex formed when an
enzyme binds to its substrate molecule(s) (essentially before the final product gets
released).
exergonic reaction - ANSWER-A spontaneous chemical reaction in which there is a
net release of free energy.
noncompetitive inhibitor - ANSWER-A substance that reduces the activity of an
enzyme by binding to a location remote from the active site, changing its
conformation so that it no longer binds to the substrate.
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
2025 /2026
Feedback inhibition - ANSWER-A method of metabolic control in which the end
product of a metabolic pathway acts as an inhibitor of an enzyme within that
pathway.
Allosteric regulation - ANSWER-The binding of a regulatory molecule to a protein at
one site that affects the function of the protein at a different site.
Anabolic pathway - ANSWER-A metabolic pathway that consumes energy to
synthesize a complex molecule from simpler compounds.
It builds things up... For example, from monomers to polymers.
Catabolic pathway - ANSWER-A metabolic pathway that releases energy by
breaking down complex molecules to simpler compounds.
It breaks things down... For example, from polymers to monomers.
Catalyst - ANSWER-A chemical agent that selectively increases the rate of a
reaction without being consumed by the reaction.
Coenzyme - ANSWER-An organic molecule serving as a cofactor (any nonprotein
molecule or ion that is required for the proper functioning of an enzyme).
Examples are vitamins that help with reactions but aren't specifically part of one.
Competitive inhibitor - ANSWER-A substance that reduces the activity of an enzyme
by entering the active site in place of the substrate whose structure it mimics.
Metabolism - ANSWER-The totality of an organism's chemical reactions, consisting
of catabolic and anabolic pathways, which manage the material and energy
resources of the cell.
enzyme-substrate complex - ANSWER-A temporary complex formed when an
enzyme binds to its substrate molecule(s) (essentially before the final product gets
released).
exergonic reaction - ANSWER-A spontaneous chemical reaction in which there is a
net release of free energy.
noncompetitive inhibitor - ANSWER-A substance that reduces the activity of an
enzyme by binding to a location remote from the active site, changing its
conformation so that it no longer binds to the substrate.
