Enzymes

Enzymes as Biological Catalysts

• Enzymes are biological molecules that speed up chemical reactions in living organisms.

Role of Enzymes

• Enzymes act as catalysts, increasing the rates of chemical reactions without being consumed or altered in the process.
• Enzymes lower the activation energy required for chemical reactions to occur.

Enzyme Characteristics

• Enzymes are highly specific, with each enzyme catalyzing a specific reaction or set of reactions.
• Enzymes are highly efficient, with a small amount of enzyme capable of catalyzing a large number of reactions.

Classification of Enzymes

• Enzymes are classified into six main categories: oxidoreductases, transferases, hydrolases, lyases, isomerases, and ligases.

Activation Energy and Transition States

• Activation energy is the minimum energy required for a chemical reaction to occur.
• High-energy transition states are temporary and unstable states in which the reactants are converted to products.
• Enzymes lower the activation energy required for a reaction to occur by stabilizing the transition state.

Effect of Enzymes on Reaction Rates

• Enzymes increase the rates of chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy required for the reaction to occur.
• Enzymes allow chemical reactions to occur at a faster rate than they would under normal conditions.

Test your knowledge of enzymes with this quiz! Learn about the characteristics and functions of enzymes, including how they speed up biological reactions and their ability to be used repeatedly. Perfect for biology students and anyone interested in understanding the role of enzymes in living organisms.