Proteins that assist chemical reactions in living cells are called enzymes. Enzymes are highly specific protein molecules that act as biological catalysts, speeding up chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy required for the reaction to proceed. They help carry out virtually all the chemical reactions in cells, including metabolism, DNA replication, and digestion, without being consumed or altered in the process. Enzymes bind to substrate molecules at their active sites, facilitating the conversion of substrates into products efficiently and precisely.
Key Characteristics of Enzymes
- Enzymes are proteins that catalyze chemical reactions inside living organisms.
- They lower the activation energy needed for reactions, increasing reaction rates by millions or even trillions of times.
- Each enzyme typically catalyzes a specific reaction or a group of closely related reactions.
- Enzymes are reusable and remain unchanged after the reaction.
- They play essential roles in processes like metabolism, DNA repair, and digestion.
Thus, the proteins that assist chemical reactions in living cells are enzymes.
