Which term describes an enzyme? A) substrate B) reactant C) catalyst D) product
Answers
Answer:
The Correct Option is C) Catalyst
Explanation:
Enzymes are very efficient catalysts for biochemical reactions. They speed up reactions by providing
an alternative reaction pathway of lower activation energy.
Like all catalysts, enzymes take part in the reaction - that is how they provide an alternative reaction
pathway. But they do not undergo permanent changes and so remain unchanged at the end of the
reaction.
They can only alter the rate of reaction, not the position of the equilibrium.
Most chemical catalysts catalyse a wide range of reactions.
They are not usually very selective.
In contrast enzymes are usually highly selective, catalysing specific reactions only.
This specificity is due to the shapes of the enzyme molecules.
Many enzymes consist of a protein and a non-protein (called the cofactor).
The proteins in enzymes are usually globular. The intra- and intermolecular bonds that hold proteins in their secondary and tertiary structures are disrupted by changes in temperature and pH.
This affects shapes and so the catalytic activity of an enzyme is pH and temperature sensitive.