Question

Are enzymes biological catalysts?

Answer 1

Catalysts are known to be chemical compounds that help in accelerating a chemical reaction without themselves taking part in the reaction. The catalysts are unaltered after the reaction is over and can be again used for the next round of reactions.

Complete answer:
Enzymes are known to be biological catalysts because almost all the metabolic processes that take place within a cell require the activity of an enzyme. The molecules on which enzymes act are known as substrates which are then converted into products. Enzymes carry out their function by increasing the rate of the reaction as well as lowering the activation energy just like all conventional catalysts. They also remain unaffected after the reaction is over and can be used for a second round of reaction and also do not affect the equilibrium of a reaction.

Enzymes are known to catalyze over five thousand biological reactions, the activity of enzymes depends on several factors such as presence or absence of activator or inhibitor which either increase or decrease the activity of the enzyme respectively, temperature, pH. The enzymes are very specific for their substrates by means of complementarity between the shape of the active site of the enzyme and the substrate which also makes them specific for the particular reaction they are catalyzing and hence no unwanted or harmful products are produced.

Note: Apart from the above mentioned criteria for enzyme activity there are some enzymes that require additional components known as cofactors for their activity. Cofactors may either be organic or inorganic and are useful in stabilizing the enzyme.