Explain why enzymes are described as biological catalysts and how they function?
Enzymes are described as biological catalysts because they increase the rate of chemical reactions that occur in living organisms without being consumed in the process. Enzymes are proteins that are highly specific to certain substrates and catalyze chemical reactions by reducing the activation energy required for the reaction to occur.
Enzymes function by binding to a specific substrate at the active site, which is a region on the enzyme molecule where the substrate binds. Once the substrate is bound to the enzyme, the enzyme can catalyze the reaction by lowering the activation energy required for the reaction to occur. This occurs through a process called induced fit, in which the enzyme undergoes a conformational change upon binding the substrate that facilitates the chemical reaction.
Enzymes can also be regulated by various factors such as temperature, pH, and the concentration of reactants and products. In addition, some enzymes require cofactors, which are non-protein molecules that are necessary for enzyme activity.
Overall, enzymes play a critical role in many physiological processes in living organisms, from digestion to energy production, and their catalytic activity is essential for maintaining the complex biochemical reactions necessary for life.
Enzymes are biological molecules that act as catalysts, speeding up the rate of chemical reactions in the body without getting used up or altered themselves in the process.
Enzymes are called biological catalysts because they speed up the rate of biological reactions in the body, without getting used up or altered in the process. They enable metabolic reactions necessary for life to occur at a rate that can sustain an organism’s survival.
Enzymes function as catalysts by facilitating chemical reactions between molecules. They do so by lowering the activation energy required for the reaction to occur, which enables the process to happen more quickly at a lower temperature. Enzymes do this by binding to the molecules involved in the reaction, and structurally changing them to create an environment that is more conducive to the reaction taking place.
Various factors can affect enzyme activity, including temperature, pH, substrate concentration, enzyme concentration, and the presence of inhibitors or co-factors. These factors can cause changes in the shape and structure of the enzyme, which can either increase or decrease its activity.
Examples of enzymes found in the body include amylase, which breaks down starch into glucose in the mouth and small intestine, and protease, which breaks down proteins into amino acids in the stomach and small intestine. Diazepam, which is used in tranquilizers, is also an example of a synthetic compound that can act as an enzyme inhibitor.
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