What are Enzymes?

What are Enzymes?

Enzymes are biological catalysts,. They are primarily proteins. However, in some cases they can be catalytic RNA, i.e., ribozymes. They accelerate biochemical reactions without being consumed. Their main function is lowering the activation energy required for reactions, thus increasing rate of reaction under physiological conditions (Nelson & Cox, Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry).

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Key Features of Enzymes

• High specificity: Each enzyme typically acts on a specific substrate (compound) due to the complementary structure of its active site.
• Catalytic efficiency: Enzymes can expedite reaction rates  (Berg et al., Biochemistry).
• Reusability: Enzymes are not permanently altered during reactions, they can be used repeatedly.
• Regulation: Enzyme activity is tightly regulated by various factors including inhibitors, activators, and environmental factors (pH, temperature).

Functional Mechanism

Enzymes (E) bind substrates (S) to form an enzyme–substrate (ES) complex, stabilize the transition state, and convert substrates into products:

$$\to E+P$$

Biological significance of Enzymes

Enzymes constitute the kinetic foundation of life by regulating and accelerating all metabolic pathways, including energy transduction (respiration and photosynthesis), macromolecular biosynthesis, nutrient acquisition and cycling, and cellular stress adaptation. Through precise catalytic control and regulatory flexibility, enzymes maintain metabolic homeostasis, biochemical efficiency, and organismal survival under dynamic environmental conditions

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