What are catalysts and what are enzymes? What reactions do enzymes catalyze? How does an enzyme work? What are the characteristics of enzymes?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for information about catalysts and enzymes, including their definitions, functions, and characteristics. The asker seems to be seeking a clear understanding of these concepts, possibly for educational purposes.
Answer
Catalysts speed reactions without being consumed. Enzymes are biological catalysts that lower activation energy, primarily in biochemical reactions. They bind substrates at their active site.
Catalysts speed up chemical reactions without being consumed. Enzymes are biological catalysts, usually proteins or RNA, that catalyze biochemical reactions in living organisms by lowering the activation energy. Enzymes work by binding substrates at their active site and facilitating the chemical reaction. Characteristics include specificity, efficiency, and they often operate under mild conditions.
Answer for screen readers
Catalysts speed up chemical reactions without being consumed. Enzymes are biological catalysts, usually proteins or RNA, that catalyze biochemical reactions in living organisms by lowering the activation energy. Enzymes work by binding substrates at their active site and facilitating the chemical reaction. Characteristics include specificity, efficiency, and they often operate under mild conditions.
More Information
Enzymes are incredibly specific and efficient. Some enzymes are so specific that they can catalyze only a single reaction. They are crucial in processes like DNA replication, metabolism, and digestion.
Tips
A common mistake is confusing enzymes with all types of catalysts. Enzymes are protein or RNA-based and specific to biological systems.
Sources
- Enzymes and activation energy - Khan Academy - khanacademy.org
- The Central Role of Enzymes as Biological Catalysts - The Cell - NCBI - ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Enzymes review (article) - Khan Academy - khanacademy.org
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