Why are enzymes fragile?

Answer 1

Enzymes are considered fragile because they are proteins that can easily lose their functional shape, or conformation, due to changes in environmental conditions such as temperature, pH, or the presence of inhibitors. This structural integrity is crucial for their catalytic activity, as even minor alterations can significantly reduce their effectiveness or render them inactive. Additionally, enzymes are susceptible to denaturation, where they unfold and lose their active site, further compromising their ability to facilitate biochemical reactions.