What are Enzymes and How Do They Work?

Enzymes are unique proteins that function as biological catalysts. For example, enzymes hasten chemical reactions in life forms without being used up in the course of the reaction. Their vital functions make all life processes, such as digestion, energy, DNA replication, and cell repair, fast and efficient under comfortable conditions (including body temperature and pH).

Enzymes are specific to the reaction they act on. Furthermore, enzymes acting on a broad range of molecules or molecules with different types of bonds may often only act on a specific molecule or a certain class of molecules.

How Enzymes Work

Enzymes work based on the lock and key-induced fit model. For instance, they work through: 

Substrate Binding

A substrate is the molecule that an enzyme works on. The substrate goes into a certain area of the enzyme known as an active site, like a key into a lock.

The Enzyme-Substrate Complex

After the enzyme has bound to its substrate, it alters in shape a little in order to accommodate the substrate (induced fit). This complex stabilizes the transition state and reduces the nature of the activation energy of the reaction.

Catalysis

The enzyme catalyzes the chemical reaction, be it splitting a substance apart or lining up molecules together.

Product Release

The end product (s) are discharged, and the enzyme is restored to its natural state to again catalyze another reaction.

Importance of Enzymes

Enzymes speed up the reactions. Furthermore, they are specific to reactions and control metabolisms. They are also reusable in the sense that they do not get used up as reactions occur, and this means that a small amount of enzymes has a lot of effectiveness.

Facts

High heat, strong pH, and chemical inhibitors can cause enzymes to become denatured (which means they cease to work properly). This is why high fevers or toxins can be such a problem for the body.