Enzymes: Biological Catalysts and Their Uses, Lecture notes of Biology

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Chapter Five: Enzymes What are enzymes? Enzymes are proteins that function as a biological catalyst. They are proteins in nature. A catalyst is a substance that speeds up a chemical reaction but isn’t changed by the reaction. Hydrogen peroxide (H202) is a substance that decomposes into Water (H20) and Oxygen (O2) if it is left in room temperature for a period of time. This reaction could a long time, but it could be sped up if we add a catalyst. Each catalyst can catalyse a specific substance and nothing but it. The catalyst for Hydrogen peroxide is called Manganesed4 oxide. If it is added we will get water and oxygen gas in a very short time, and the manganese4 oxide could be obtained again as it was, it remains unchanged. How Do Enzymes Work? Enzymes work the same way as catalysts do, they can work with only one substrate and they can be used more than once. Page 1