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Enzymes function as biological catalysts by speeding up chemical reactions in the body without being consumed.
Enzymes are proteins that are found in all living organisms. They play a crucial role in the body by acting as biological catalysts, which means they speed up chemical reactions that would otherwise be too slow to support life. Enzymes are not consumed in these reactions, so they can be used over and over again.
The way enzymes work is by lowering the activation energy of a reaction. Activation energy is the energy required to start a chemical reaction. By reducing this energy, enzymes make it easier for the reaction to occur, thus speeding it up. This is achieved through a process called 'catalysis'.
Enzymes are highly specific, meaning each enzyme only catalyses a particular reaction. This specificity is due to the unique shape of the enzyme, which allows it to bind to a specific molecule, known as the substrate. The part of the enzyme where the substrate binds is called the active site. The active site and the substrate fit together like a lock and key, ensuring that the enzyme can only catalyse one specific reaction.
Once the substrate is bound to the enzyme, the enzyme changes shape slightly. This change in shape stresses the bonds in the substrate, making it easier for them to break and the reaction to proceed. After the reaction is complete, the products are released and the enzyme returns to its original shape, ready to catalyse another reaction.
In summary, enzymes function as biological catalysts by lowering the activation energy of chemical reactions, allowing them to proceed more quickly. They do this by binding to specific substrates and facilitating the breaking and forming of bonds. This vital role of enzymes ensures that life-sustaining reactions can occur at a rate that supports life.
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