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Enzymes are proteins that catalyze (i.e., increase the rates of) chemical reactions.[1][2] In enzymatic reactions, the molecules at the beginning of the process are called substrates, and the enzyme converts them into different molecules, called the products. Almost all processes in a biological cell need enzymes to occur at significant rates. Since enzymes are selective for their substrates and speed up only a few reactions from among many possibilities, the set of enzymes made in a cell determines which metabolic pathways occur in that cell.

Like all catalysts, enzymes work by lowering the activation energy (Ea‡) for a reaction, thus dramatically increasing the rate of the reaction. Most enzyme reaction rates are millions of times faster than those of comparable un-catalyzed reactions. As with all catalysts, enzymes are not consumed by the reactions they catalyze, nor do they alter the equilibrium of these reactions. However, enzymes do differ from most other catalysts by being much more specific. Enzymes are known to catalyze about 4,000 biochemical reactions.[3] A few RNA molecules called ribozymes also catalyze reactions, with an important example being some parts of the ribosome.[4][5] Synthetic molecules called artificial enzymes also display enzyme-like catalysis.[6]

Enzyme activity can be affected by other molecules. Inhibitors are molecules that decrease enzyme activity; activators are molecules that increase activity. Many drugs and poisons are enzyme inhibitors. Activity is also affected by temperature, chemical environment (e.g., pH), and the concentration of substrate. Some enzymes are used commercially, for example, in the synthesis of antibiotics. In addition, some household products use enzymes to speed up biochemical reactions (e.g., enzymes in biological washing powders break down protein or fat stains on clothes; enzymes in meat tenderizers break down proteins, making the meat easier to chew).

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How does the casein digestive enzyme aid in the breakdown of proteins in the body?

The casein digestive enzyme helps break down proteins in the body by specifically targeting and breaking apart the protein molecule called casein. This enzyme works by cleaving the bonds between the amino acids in casein, making it easier for the body to absorb and utilize the protein for various functions.


What is the significance of the enzyme kinetic parameter kcat/Km in determining the efficiency of an enzyme-catalyzed reaction?

The enzyme kinetic parameter kcat/Km is significant in determining the efficiency of an enzyme-catalyzed reaction because it represents the catalytic efficiency of the enzyme. A higher kcat/Km value indicates that the enzyme can convert substrate into product more effectively, making the reaction more efficient.


What process is the first step in making a protein from DNA instructions?

The first step in creating a protein is transcription - the copying of the code from DNA to mRNA. (The section of DNA must unwind before this can happen).


Gene expression is the overall process of making proteins using the information coded in DNA If making a cake is used as an analogy for gene expression which picture corresponds to the protein?

The baked cake corresponds to the protein in the analogy, as the cake represents the final product or end result of the gene expression process, which is the synthesis of a functional protein from the DNA instructions.


What is the relationship between an enzyme and a reactant molecule?

Activation energy is the energy that must be provided to make a reaction take place. The enzyme helps speed up the reaction by lowering the activation energy making the reaction occur at a lower temperature than it would without an enzyme.So when a substrate binds to the active site of an enzyme, the shape of its molecule is lsighty changed. this makes it easier to change into a product. AS student.It lowers it.

Related Questions

What process does ribosmal RNA participate in?

the RNA is the component of the ribosome, and is the enzyme that is the site of protein synthesis (the making of protein) in all living cells.


How does the casein digestive enzyme aid in the breakdown of proteins in the body?

The casein digestive enzyme helps break down proteins in the body by specifically targeting and breaking apart the protein molecule called casein. This enzyme works by cleaving the bonds between the amino acids in casein, making it easier for the body to absorb and utilize the protein for various functions.


What is the significance of the enzyme kinetic parameter kcat/Km in determining the efficiency of an enzyme-catalyzed reaction?

The enzyme kinetic parameter kcat/Km is significant in determining the efficiency of an enzyme-catalyzed reaction because it represents the catalytic efficiency of the enzyme. A higher kcat/Km value indicates that the enzyme can convert substrate into product more effectively, making the reaction more efficient.


Do most hormones regulate by negative feedback mechanisms?

Yes and most biochemical path ways are regulated by negative feedback. Enough of the product made inhibits the enzyme, or biochemical pathway, from making more product/reactions.


Is pectin a protein?

Pectin is actually a naturally occurring complex carbohydrate, not a protein. It is found in many fruits, particularly apples. It is used in jam and jelly making to help firm the final product.


What process is the first step in making a protein from DNA instructions?

The first step in creating a protein is transcription - the copying of the code from DNA to mRNA. (The section of DNA must unwind before this can happen).


Is pectin made from pork?

No, pectin is not an animal product, it is an enzyme found in fruits and it is used to help boiled sugar set when making jam.


Why does fresh pineapple keep gelatin from gelling?

Pineapples contain an enzyme called bromelain. THis enzyme stops the Jello from jelling because it breaks dowm the strands of protein that form Jello. Cooking the pineapple denatures this enzyme therefore preventing it from stopping the Jello.


What is a biological cayalyst?

A biological catalyst is a substance, usually a protein (such as an enzyme), that increases the rate of a biochemical reaction without being consumed in the process. It lowers the activation energy required for the reaction to occur, making the reaction proceed more quickly.


What is the name of the part of protein synthesis that makes messenger RNA?

Transcription is the synthesis of messenger RNA from DNA in the nucleus.


Do nucleic acids hold polymers for making protein?

No, nucleic acids code for the making of protein, they do not contain the monomers of protein manufacturing.


Which methods you can use to determine the primary structure of an enzyme?

Off the top of my head: techniques such as chemical and enzymatic degredation (particularly if they are targeted) coupled with various analytical techniques particularly mass spectrometry and NMR. X-ray crystallography could also be used if the enzyme can be crystallised.