Enzymes refer to biological catalysts.
These tend to speed up the chemical reactions all life forms.
For example, digestive enzymes in particular help process food to gain the necessary energy and nutrients for the rest of the body to function properly.
However, it is important to note that a catalyst is a substance that speeds up a chemical reaction but does not change the reaction itself.
Hence, a catalyst can be used many times over.
Enzymes have similar characteristics but are more prone to be denatured by heat.
In addition, enzymes need to have a specific pH level.
The reason Enzymes are sensitive to factors such as heat, pH levels and heavy metal ions is that enzymes are made up of protein.
In addition, standard catalysts can be used for various chemical reactions but enzymes are specific to a single chemical reaction.
Enzymes have a basic operating mechanism.
Two molecules react when they collide with one another.
For the reaction to be a success, the collision must have the right direction and sufficient energy.
With regards to energy, the molecules must have enough energy between them to overcome the so called energy barrier.
This process is called the activation energy.
Accordingly, all enzymes have an active site.
This refers to the part of the enzyme that has the correct shape and functional groups necessary to bind reacting molecules.
The reacting molecules, on the other hand, are referred to as the substrate.
The catalytic functions of enzymes can be reduced or even completely stopped by certain substances.
This is done by blocking the active site of enzymes.
The chemicals that do so are called inhibitors, for their role in inhibiting the reaction.
Accordingly, inhibitors that work on the active site of an enzyme are referred to as active site-directed inhibitors, while inhibitors that work on other parts of the enzyme are said to be non-active site-directed inhibitors.
Enzymes are used in many industries including food, brewing and detergent industries.
For example, protease enzymes are used in detergents and help breakdown protein related stains created by blood and eggs.
Pectinase, on the other hand, is used in the production and clarification of fruit juice.
Enzymes are easily immobilized when they are attached to a solid surface and this brings about many commercial advantages, such as the following.
•Enzymes can be easily removed.
•Enzymes can be packed into columns.
Thus, they can be used for a long period of time.
•The rapid separation of products diminishes the feedback inhibition effects.
•The thermal stability is increased thus making enzymes less sensitive to heat.
This allows the use of higher temperatures during the production process.
This in turn allows for an increasing rate of reaction.
However there a few disadvantages in using enzymes on a commercial scale, such as the following: •Since enzymes are water soluble; therefore, it is difficult to recover them.
•Certain products can inhibit the enzyme reactions.
In the medical field, enzymes are used for various purposes including the following: •Anti-inflammatory agents •Immune boosters •Anti-bacterial agents •Blood cleansers •Anti clotting agents Enzyme therapy is known to effective against various diseases while have little or no side effects.
Therefore, unlike standard drugs, in certain cases enzyme therapy can be safer and more effective.