Enzymes: Structure and Characteristics
(Introduction to Enzyme Structure & Functions)
What are Enzymes?
There are thousands of chemical reactions in a living system. The chemical reactions in the cell are catalyzed by the biological catalysts called enzymes. Almost all enzymes are highly specialized proteins. (Exception: Ribozymes –Ribozymes are RNA with catalytic activity). The current post we will discuss the Characteristics of Enzymes. We will also discuss the features of a Catalyst and the concept of Activation Energy of a reaction.
What are catalysts?
Ø The catalyst is substances that accelerate the rate of a chemical reaction.
Ø The catalyst is not consumed or transformed by the reaction.
Ø It will not change the equilibrium constant of the reaction.
Ø Catalysts only change the rate to approach equilibrium constant.
Ø Catalysts are not required in stoichiometric quantities.