What are enzymes? Explain their characteristics and role in controlling various biochemical reactions inside living organisms.
Enzymes are biological catalysts that increase the rate of biochemical reactions without being consumed. Most enzymes are proteins and work efficiently under suitable temperature and pH conditions. Digestive enzymes such as amylase, pepsin, and lipase help break down food.
Enzymes are biological catalysts (mostly proteins) that speed up chemical reactions in living organisms without being consumed.
Key Characteristics
• Highly Efficient: Speed up reactions up to a billion times.
• Specific: Each enzyme binds only to its specific substrate at its active site.
• Sensitive: Easily damaged (denatured) by changes in temperature and pH.
Role in Biochemical Reactions
• Lower Activation Energy: They reduce the energy needed for a reaction to start.
• Control Metabolism: They regulate cell processes through activation, inhibition, and feedback loops to maintain internal balance (homeostasis).