Difference between revisions of "Enzyme"
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| − | An '''enzyme''' is a [[protein]] produced by a living organism that functions as a [[catalyst]]. Enzymes increase the speed and likelihood of chemical reactions within an organism's body by lowering the activation energy necessary for a reaction to occur. | + | An '''enzyme''' is a [[protein]] produced by a living organism that functions as a [[catalyst]]. Enzymes increase the speed and likelihood of chemical reactions within an organism's body by lowering the activation energy necessary for a reaction to occur. This happens because the enzyme selects the particular configuration of the substrate and bends the bonds into the energetically-favorable orientation, with a consequent decrease in entropy. They are essential to all cellular functions, and most life could not exist without them, although viruses lack enzymes, but use them from their host cell. |
[[Category:Reaction Kinetics]] | [[Category:Reaction Kinetics]] | ||
[[Category:Organic Chemistry]] | [[Category:Organic Chemistry]] | ||
[[Category:Biochemistry]] | [[Category:Biochemistry]] | ||
Revision as of 22:27, July 23, 2008
An enzyme is a protein produced by a living organism that functions as a catalyst. Enzymes increase the speed and likelihood of chemical reactions within an organism's body by lowering the activation energy necessary for a reaction to occur. This happens because the enzyme selects the particular configuration of the substrate and bends the bonds into the energetically-favorable orientation, with a consequent decrease in entropy. They are essential to all cellular functions, and most life could not exist without them, although viruses lack enzymes, but use them from their host cell.
