Section: STEM · BiologyDifficulty: Easy
Enzyme
USUK
A biological catalyst that speeds up chemical reactions in living organisms.
Also: biocatalyst
Definition
Enzymes are protein molecules that act as biological catalysts, dramatically accelerating the rates of chemical reactions in cells without being consumed in the process. Each enzyme has an active site with a specific shape that binds to a particular substrate, following the lock-and-key or induced-fit model. Enzymes are sensitive to temperature and pH, with each having an optimal range for activity.
Example
“Salivary amylase in your mouth begins breaking down starch from bread into simpler sugars within seconds of chewing, demonstrating how enzymes start the digestive process immediately.”
Synonyms
- biological catalyst
- biocatalyst
- protein catalyst
Antonyms / Opposites
- inhibitor
- reaction blocker
Images
CC-licensed · free to useLoading images…
Video
Related Terms
- Catalyst
- Substrate
- Active Site
- Protein