Enzymes

If there is a necessity for catalyzing any chemical reaction, then enzymes will be the best catalysts available. Enzymes are nothing but a form of proteins, which will be extremely helpful in either decreasing or increasing the rate of chemical reactions. When there is an enzymatic reaction taking place, then the molecules, which you will find at the initial time of the reaction, are nothing but substrates. These substrates are what actually converted into varieties of other molecules after enzymatic reactions. Finally, the molecules that we get as a result of these reactions are called products. Most of the process in the cells will have a great necessity of these enzymes for achieving significant rates. There are specific types of enzymes allotted for catalyzing specific reactions.

Just like most of the other catalysts, even enzymes will bring about the process of catalyzing by decreasing the energy of activation. In most of the cases, the catalysts will be used to increase the rate of reaction. Finally, it will be very much helpful formations of the products and moreover for making the reactions to reach their equilibrium within a short period of time. What makes the enzymes different from the other catalysts is that unlike other catalysts, the enzymes will not be consumed in the reactions for which they act as catalysts. In addition, they will have no role to play in altering the equilibrium of those reactions as well.

The great fact about enzymes is that it has the ability to catalyze over 4,000 reactions, which are purely biochemical. RNA molecules are also best examples of enzymes acting as catalysts. The synthetic enzymes, which act as catalysts are called artificial enzymes. There are many fields like biotechnology, which are completely dependant on enzymes. Therefore, the usage of enzymes are not only limited to chemistry.

Questions:

• How are enzymes useful in chemical reactions?
• What are enzymes?