Enzymes
Enzymes are basically Proteins which serve as a catalyst in biological processes. They participate in a number of metabolic reactions and are essential for cell functioning. Chemical reactions become easier with the help of enzymes because they increase the rate of the reaction while decreasing the activation energy needed for the reactions to take place.
Specificity of enzymes
Since each enzyme catalyzes a single particular reaction so enzymes are highly specific in nature. They are able to do this because of their distinct three-dimensional structure, having an active site where the substrate molecule can bind and go through a chemical change.
Mechanism of Enzyme action
The molecule or molecules that the enzyme reacts with are known as its substrate. An enzyme-substrate complex is formed when the substrate binds to the active site of the enzyme. The substrate is transformed into one or more products as a result of specific chemical reactions taking place within this complex. The product(s) of the reaction separate from the enzyme once the reaction is finished, enabling the enzyme to take part in another catalytic cycle.
Properties of enzymes
| Property | Description |
| Sensitivity to Environmental Factors | Enzyme activity is influenced by factors such as PH, temperature and substrate concentration. |
| Reusability | Enzymes are not itself consumed in the chemical reactions which they catalyze so can be used repeatedly. |
| Substrate Saturation | Enzyme activity increases with substrate concentration until saturation, where further increase has little effect on the reaction rate. |
| Regulation
| Enzyme activity can be regulated through various mechanisms to meet the needs of the cell. |
IMPORTANCE OF ENZYMES
Several biological processes require enzymes to work properly. They participate in a variety of metabolic processes, including those that produce energy, replicate and repair DNA. Without enzymes, many reactions might not happen at all or happen at much slower rates. In summary, enzymes function as catalyst, speeding up specific chemical reactions in the cells. Enzymes play a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis in the cell. Enzymes have numerous applications in industry.
Important Questions about Enzymes
- Enzymes MCQs
- Inhibition in enzymes
- Which enzyme digests starch?
- Which enzyme digests protein?
- which enzyme is present in saliva?
- Which enzyme is not present in succus entericus?
- Which enzyme breaks down protein in the stomach?
- Which enzyme converts fibrinogen to fibrin?
- Which enzyme converts glucose into alcohol?
- Which enzyme digests fat?
- Which enzyme digests milk protein?
- Which enzyme is used in PCR?
- Which enzyme unzips the DNA double helix?
- Which liver enzyme increases with alcohol?
- Which enzyme cuts DNA?
- Which enzyme catalyzes the first step of glycolysis?
- Which enzyme binds DNA fragments together?
- Which enzyme transcribes DNA into RNA?
- which enzyme adds new nucleotides?
- Which enzyme digests cellulose?
- Which enzyme separates the two strands of DNA?
- Which enzyme converts carbohydrates into glucose?
- Which enzyme removes RNA primer?
- Which enzymes help in digestion?
- Which enzyme works best in acidic conditions?
- Which enzyme synthesizes tRNA?
- Which enzyme secreted by pancreas?
- Which enzyme converts maltose into glucose?
- Which vitamins work as coenzyme?