Question

What is enzyme catalysis? Give some examples.

Answer 1

Enzyme catalysis is the acceleration of chemical reactions by enzymes, which act as highly specific biological catalysts. Enzymes lower the activation energy by forming an enzyme-substrate complex, facilitating the conversion of substrates to products. Examples include urease, which hydrolyzes urea into ammonia and carbon dioxide, amylase breaking down starch into glucose, and DNA polymerase synthesizing DNA. The specificity arises from the shape of the enzyme’s active site, often explained by the lock and key model.