Question

Write notes on enzymes.

Accepted Answer

Enzymes are proteinaceous substances which are used as biological catalysts.

• Almost all the enzymes are globular proteins.

• Being proteins, they have colloidal nature and get inactivated during reactions and have to be constantly replaced by synthesis in the body.

• Enzymes are needed only in small quantities for the progress of a reaction.

• Enzymes are very selective and specific for a particular reaction.

• Enzymes lower the energy barrier that reactants must pass over to form the products.

• An enzyme molecule may contain a nonprotein part which is known as prosthetic group.

It is of two types:

o Cofactor: The prosthetic group which is covalently attached with the enzyme molecule is known as cofactor.

o Coenzyme: The prosthetic group which get attached to the enzyme at the time of a reaction is known as coenzyme.

Properties of enzymes:

Nearly all enzymes are proteins, although a few catalytically active RNA molecules have been identified.

Enzyme catalysed reactions usually take place under relatively mild conditions (temperatures well below $100^{°} C$ , atmospheric pressure and neutral pH) as compared with the corresponding chemical reactions.

Enzymes are catalysts that increase the rate of a chemical reaction without being changed themselves in the process.

Enzymes are highly specific with respect to the substrates on which they act and the products that they form.

Enzyme activity can be regulated, varying in response to the concentration of substrates or other molecules.

They function under strict conditions of temperature and pH in the body.

Andhra Pradesh Board Solutions for Chapter: Biomolecules, Exercise 4: Questions

Andhra Pradesh Board Chemistry Solutions for Exercise - Andhra Pradesh Board Solutions for Chapter: Biomolecules, Exercise 4: Questions

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