Enzymes are crucial biological catalysts that facilitate chemical reactions necessary for life. They possess unique structures that allow for high specificity to substrates, forming enzyme-substrate complexes that lower activation energy. Factors like temperature, pH, and inhibitors affect enzyme activity. Industrially, enzymes are used in pharmaceuticals, detergents, and more, leveraging their specificity and efficiency.
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Enzymes are specialized proteins that lower the activation energy required for chemical reactions in biological systems
Tertiary Structure
The unique tertiary structure of enzymes allows them to have a highly specific active site for binding with substrates
Types of Reactions
Enzymes are versatile and can catalyze a wide range of reactions in biological systems
External factors such as temperature, pH, and the presence of inhibitors or activators can greatly influence the activity of enzymes
Enzymes bind to their specific substrates at an active site to form an enzyme-substrate complex, lowering the activation energy for reactions
Pseudoenzymes
Pseudoenzymes are evolutionary remnants that no longer function as catalysts but may still play a role in cellular processes
Equilibrium
Enzymes do not alter the equilibrium of a reaction, but instead accelerate the rate at which equilibrium is reached
Enzymes are utilized in various industries due to their ability to catalyze reactions under mild conditions, making them environmentally friendly and cost-effective
Enzymes are used in the synthesis of complex molecules, such as antibiotics, in the pharmaceutical industry
Enzymes are incorporated into household products, such as detergents and meat tenderizers, for their ability to break down organic stains and proteins
00
Each enzyme targets a specific ______, forming an ______-______ complex that reduces the energy needed for the reaction.
reaction
enzyme-substrate
01
The field of ______ involves the study of active enzymes and ______, which are non-functional evolutionary leftovers.
enzymology
pseudoenzymes
02
Enzymes bind to their ______ at the ______ site, which is crucial for the chemical reaction to occur more easily.
substrate(s)
active
