| A | B |
|---|
| activated complex | A transitory molecular structure formed by the collision of two reaction molecules |
| activation energy | The minimum energy that colliding reactant molecules must possess to reach the activated complex and undergo chemical reaction to form new products. |
| catalyst | A substrate that takes part in a chemical reaction and accelerates its rate but emerges unchanged at the reaction's conclusion. |
| chemical equilibrium | A state in which the rate at which products form is equal to the rate at which reactants form. |
| chemical kinetics | The study of the rate of a chemical reaction. |
| complementarity | A principle that accounts for the selectivity of enzymes. The structure of the substrate must complement the structure of the enzyme's binding site. |
| endothermic reaction | A reaction in which heat is absorbed. |
| enzyme | A molecule, usually a protein, that catalyzes a biochemical reaction. |
| equilibrium constant | A constant that is calculated from the relation between molar concentrations of products and reactants of a |
| exothermic reaction | A chemical reaction that evolves heat. |
| heat of reaction | The amount of heat generated or absorbed per mole of reactant when a chemical reaction takes place. |
| product | A substance that is produced by a chemical reaction. |
| reactant | A substance that undergoes chemical change in a reaction. |
| substrate | The substance that is the object of an enzyme's catalysis. |
| transition state | Another name for the activated complex. |
