ENZYMES AS BIOCATALYSTS

INTRODUCTION: Life is possible due to the co-ordination of numerous metabolic reactions inside the cells. Proteins can be hydrolyzed with hydrochloric acid by boiling for a very long time; but inside the body, with the help of enzymes, proteolysis takes place within a short time at body temperature.

KINETICS OF ENZYMES: Enzyme catalysis is very rapid; usually 1 molecule of an enzyme can act upon about 1000 molecules of the substrate per minute.

CONSEQUENCES OF LOW OR NO ENZYMATIC ACTION: Lack of enzymes will lead to block in metabolic pathways causing inborn errors of metabolism. The substance upon which an enzyme acts, is called the substrate. The enzyme will convert the substrate into the product or products.

CHARACTERISTICS OF ENZYMES:

1) Almost all enzymes are proteins. Enzymes follow the physical and chemical reactions of proteins.

2) They are heat labile.

3) They are water-soluble.

4) They can be precipitated by protein precipitating reagents (ammonium sulfate or trichloroacetic acid).

5) They contain 16% weight as nitrogen.

RELATED;

1. Biochemistry of enzymes

2. Glucagon

3. Catalase

References