Enzymes, Enzymes

Enzymes are protein catalysts that are formed in a living organism and accelerate specific chemical reactions.

Enzymes are biological catalysts, meaning they speed up chemical reactions in living organisms. They are distinguished by very high activity and specificity. Each enzyme catalyzes only one reaction or a group of reactions with similar mechanisms.

Enzymes speed up reactions by lowering the activation energy. They form intermediate compounds with substrates, which leads to the fact that less energy is required for the reaction to occur.

Most enzymes are proteins, but some enzymes may be RNA. Enzymes are synthesized in the cells of living organisms on ribosomes as ordinary proteins. Enzyme activity depends on temperature, pH and the presence of activators or inhibitors.

Thus, enzymes are the most important biological catalysts that ensure the occurrence of most chemical reactions in living organisms. Without enzymes, these reactions would proceed very slowly and would not allow vital processes to take place.