Biomolecules — Chemistry STD 12 Science — Question

Ans. Enzymes are naturally occurring simple or conjugate proteins acting as specific catalysts in cell processes. The enzyme facilitates a biochemical reaction by providing alternative lower activation energy pathways thereby increasing the rate of reaction.Enzymes are different from ordinary chemical catalysts in following ways:

1. They are highly specific in their action, i.e., each enzyme can catalyse only a specific type of reaction.
2. Enzymes can speed up reactions to the extent of about ten million times.
3. Enzymes function at a moderate temperature (about 310K) and moderate pH (6-8).
4. Even a small quantity of an enzyme can catalyse the reaction of a large quantity of the substrate. This is because in chemical reactions the catalyst (enzyme) is regenerated after the reaction.