Enzymes, What are They and What Do They Do?

Enzymes are proteins that are used to speed up chemical reactions in our cells. They act as catalysts, meaning they reduce the amount of energy needed to initiate the reaction and increase the reaction rate. Without enzymes, the reactions in our cells would not take place, and life as we know it would cease to exist.

Enzymes can be classified into two main categories: exogenous (external) and endogenous (internal). Exogenous enzymes are found in our environment and can be found in foods, plants and animals. Endogenous enzymes are produced by our body and are essential for many processes.

Types of Enzymes

Enzymes are classified into six different types, depending on their function and structure. These include oxidoreductases, transferases, hydrolases, lyases, isomerases, and ligases.

-Oxidoreductases are enzymes that catalyze the transfer of electrons from one molecule to another. Examples include oxygenases, dehydrogenases and reductases.

-Transferases are enzymes that facilitate the transfer of regulatory groups from one molecule to another. Examples include kinases, phosphatases and glycosyltransferases.

-Hydrolases are enzymes that cleave covalent bonds by hydrolysis. Examples include peptidases and lipases.

-Lyases are enzymes that cleave covalent bonds by other means. Examples include decarboxylases and aldolases.

-Isomerases are enzymes that catalyze the transfer of groups within a molecule. Examples include epimerases and racemases.

-Ligases are enzymes that link two molecules together. Examples include DNA ligases and ATP synthases.

How Do Enzymes Work?

Enzymes function by breaking down substrates (reactants) into products (products of the reaction). This process is known as catalysis, and it is carried out by decreasing the activation energy (amount of energy needed to activate the reaction) of the reaction.

In order for an enzyme to work, it must first bind to the substrate, forming an enzyme-substrate complex. This is known as the ‘lock and key’ model, where the enzyme acts as the key and the substrate as the lock.

Once the enzyme has bound to the substrate, it undergoes a conformational change. This change is known as the active site and is where the reaction takes place. Once the reaction has been completed, the enzyme is released from the substrate and the product is formed.

Enzymes in Everyday Life

Enzymes are found in all aspects of life, and they play a huge role in our everyday activities. They are used in food production, processing, digestion and more.

In food production, enzymes are used in baking, brewing, cheese-making and wine-making. They help break down complex molecules into more simple compounds, which in turn help flavors and textures formed.

In digestion, enzymes are used to break down food molecules so that our body can absorb them. Examples of digestive enzymes include amylase, which is responsible for breaking down carbohydrates, and lipase, which is responsible for breaking down fats.

Enzymes also have industrial applications. They can be used in detergents to break down soil and grease, and in biofuel production to convert biomass into ethanol.

Conclusion

Enzymes are essential proteins found in all aspects of life. Without them, many vital processes would not take place. They help speed up chemical reactions, and can be found in our environment, food, and in our bodies. They are used in food production, processing, digestion and many other industrial applications.