Question

Describe the important properties of enzymes.

Answer 1

Properties of enzymes

• Enzymes are complex macromolecules with high molecular weight.
• They catalyze biochemical reactions in a cell. They help in the breakdown of large molecules into smaller molecules or bring together two smaller molecules to form a larger molecule.
• Enzymes do not start a reaction. However, they help in accelerating it.
• Enzymes affect the rate of biochemical reaction and not the direction. Most of the enzymes have a high turnover number. Turnover number of an enzyme is the number of molecules of a substance that is acted upon by an enzyme per minute. High turnover number of enzymes increases the efficiency of the reaction.
• Enzymes are specific in action.
• Enzymatic activity decreases with increase in temperature.
• They show maximum activity at an optimum pH of 6 – 8.
• The velocity of enzyme increases with an increase in substrate concentration and then, ultimately reaches maximum velocity.