Enzymes and Chemical Reactions

Role of Enzymes

• Enzymes are proteins that facilitate and speed up chemical reactions in cells.
• Without enzymes, most chemical reactions in cells would occur too slowly to sustain life.
• Enzymes help cells efficiently utilize energy sources.

Function of Enzymes

• Enzymes catalyze reactions by lowering the activation energy required.
• Activation energy can be visualized as an energy "speed bump" in reactions.
  • Yellow speed bump: Reaction without enzyme (higher energy requirement).
  • Orange speed bump: Reaction with enzyme (lower energy requirement).
• By lowering activation energy, enzymes increase the reaction rate.

Characteristics of Enzymes

• Enzymes physically bring reactants together to lower the energy threshold.
• They do not alter the energy levels of reactants or products, only the energy needed for the reaction to occur.

Importance of Enzymes

• Essential for bodily processes such as:
  • Digestion
  • Processing of nerve impulses
• Without enzymes, these processes would be too slow to support life.