enzymes

Biological catalysts that accelerate chemical reactions in living organisms. Each enzyme is specific to its substrate.

Enzymes lower the activation energy of reactions, enabling metabolic processes to occur at body temperature. They are primarily proteins folded into precise three-dimensional shapes.

The active site of an enzyme binds its substrate through a lock-and-key or induced-fit mechanism.

Temperature, pH, and cofactor availability regulate enzymes activity. Denaturation destroys the active site and halts catalysis.

Enzymatic processes underpin digestion, fermentation, and the synthesis of chemical compounds in every living cell.

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