Enzymes are proteins that regulate chemical reactions but are themselves unchanged by the reaction. Because they’re often required to start or speed up a reaction, enzymes also are called catalysts. Without enzymes, many biochemical reactions would be energetically inefficient.
Function
Enzymes form temporary bonds with one or more of the reactants, or substances that are transformed during the reaction, to make the products of the reaction. These bonds reduce the amount of energy needed to begin the reaction, which speeds up the process.
Features
Names for enzymes usually end in the suffix “-ase,” making enzymes easy to distinguish. For example, an enzyme responsible for removing a phosphate group from a molecule is called a phosphatase, and an enzyme responsible for breaking down proteins is called an protease.
Types
The International Union of Biochemistry recognizes about 300 different types of enzymes. Specific enzymes are involved in making chemical energy for cells, breaking down proteins or nucleic acids or catalyzing oxidation-reduction reactions.
Significance
Without enzymes, the energy stored in molecules might be all but inaccessible to cells. Just as wood doesn’t spontaneously catch fire, breaking chemical bonds to release energy requires an investment of energy.
Effects
Just as applying heat starts the burning process, enzymes allow chemical reactions to proceed by lowering the amount of energy required to run the reaction so the cell can function efficiently.
References
- The Molecular Biology of the Cell; Bruce Alberts, Alexander Johnson, Julian Lewis, Martin Raff, Keith Roberts Peter Walter; 2002
- Biology: Concepts and Connections; Neil A. Campbell; 2009
About the Author
Liz Veloz is a writer, scientist and college teacher living in Madison, Wis. Her science, travel and adventure writing has appeared in numerous literary journals and other publications. Veloz holds a doctorate in the biological sciences and a Master of Arts in English from the University of California, Davis.