Question

Describe the important properties of enzymes.

Answer 1

Properties of enzymes:

1. Enzymes are complex macromolecules with a high molecular weight.
2. They catalyse biochemical reactions in a cell. They help in the breakdown of large molecules into smaller molecules or bring together two smaller molecules to form a larger molecule.
3. Enzymes do not start a reaction. However, they help accelerate it.
4. Enzymes affect the rate of biochemical reactions, not the direction.
5. Most of the enzymes have a high turnover number. The turnover number of an enzyme is the number of molecules of a substance that are acted upon by the enzyme per minute. A high turnover number of enzymes increases the efficiency of the reaction.
6. Enzymes are specific in action.
7. Enzymatic activity decreases with an increase in temperature.
8. They show maximum activity at an optimum pH of 5 –7.
9. The velocity of enzyme increases with increase in substrate concentration and then, ultimately reaches maximum velocity.