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. 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. | + | 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.<ref>http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=3266</ref> |
| + | == References == | ||
| + | <references/> | ||
[[Category:Reaction Kinetics]] | [[Category:Reaction Kinetics]] | ||
[[Category:Organic Chemistry]] | [[Category:Organic Chemistry]] | ||
[[Category:Biochemistry]] | [[Category:Biochemistry]] | ||
Revision as of 03:54, May 19, 2009
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.[1]