Enzyme structure
An enzyme is a protein that catalyzes a chemical reaction and a substrate is a molecule which is acted upon by an enzyme. The substrate binds with the enzyme�s active site and the enzyme catalyzes the chemical reaction involving the substrate. The active site is the location on the surface of the enzyme where the catalysis of chemical reaction takes place. A Peptide bond is formed by amino acid condensation. Substrate is held by weak interactions at the binding site of the enzyme. Reaction catalysis and product formation occurs at catalytic site of the enzyme.

Mechanism of enzyme action


Several steps of enzyme action results in the formation of products and eventually the enzyme is regenerated. In lock and key hypothesis, enzyme holds the substrate as a lock holding the key. As per induced fit hypothesis, active site expands and contracts on substrate interaction.

How enzymes Act as Biocatalysts


Activation energy is the amount of energy required to convert all the reacting substances from ground state to transition state. It determines the rate of reaction. Enzymes work by lowering the activation energy. Lower the activation energy, faster is the rate.

Enzyme cofactors

Cofactor of an enzyme is the non-protein component and is essential for its catalytic activity. Coenzyme is a loosely bound organic cofactor that is required for enzyme activity. Prosthetic group is a metal ion or an organic compound that is covalently bound to an enzyme required for its activity. Activators are inorganic ions working as cofactors. They are either loosely or firmly bound.

Enzyme properties


Enzyme specificity is the ability of an enzyme to discriminate among competing substrates for it. There are four different types of specificity: Absolute, group, linkage, stereo chemical specificity.