Question
Question: Why are enzymes called biocatalysts?...
Why are enzymes called biocatalysts?
Solution
Enzyme can be defined as the substance which acts as a catalyst and regulates the speed of chemical reactions but without being altered.
Complete answer:
Enzymes are biocatalysts that may increase the speed of a reaction by several orders of magnitude. They accelerate both the forward and reverse reaction.
Biocatalysis is the use of natural substances (enzymes) from biological sources to speed up chemical reactions. The biological processes that occur within all living organisms are regulated by enzymes. Without enzymes, many of those reactions wouldn't happen at a perceptible rate. Enzymes catalyze all aspects of cell metabolism. This includes the digestion of food, during which large nutrient molecules are de-escalated into smaller molecules; the conservation and transformation of chemical energy; and therefore the construction of cellular macromolecules from smaller precursors. Many inherited human diseases, like albinism and phenylketonuria, result from a deficiency of a selected enzyme.
A large protein enzyme molecule consists of 1 or more amino alkanoic acid chains called polypeptide chains. The amino alkanoic acid sequence determines the characteristic folding patterns of the protein’s structure, which is important to enzyme specificity. If the enzyme is subjected to changes, like fluctuations in temperature or pH, the protein structure may lose its integrity (denature) and its enzymatic ability. Denaturation is usually, but not always, reversible.
Bound to some enzymes is a further chemical component called a cofactor, which may be a direct participant within the catalytic event and thus is required for enzymatic activity. A cofactor could also be either a coenzyme—an organic molecule, like a vitamin—or an inorganic metal ion; some enzymes require both. A cofactor could also be either tightly or loosely absolute to the enzyme. If tightly connected, the cofactor is remarked as a prosthetic group.
Note: Biocatalysis is emerging as an alternate approach to chemical synthesis of industrially relevant complex molecules. To get suitable yields of compounds in an exceedingly cost-effective manner, biocatalytic reaction cascades must be efficient, robust, and self-sufficient.
Biocatalysts are currently employed for the assembly of products in numerous fields, like pharmaceuticals or intermediates of their production, fine chemicals, and food ingredients.