Living systems contain large protein molecules called enzymes. Those large globular proteins range in molecular weight from about 10,000 to several million. Each of the thousands of known enzymes has a characteristic three- dimensional shape with a specific surface configuration as a result of its primary, secondary, and tertiary structures. The unique configuration of each enzyme enables it to “find” the correct substrate from among the large number of diverse molecules in the cell. Although some enzymes consist entirely of proteins, most consist of both a protein portion called an apoenzyme and a nonprotein component called a cofactor. Together, the apoenzyme and cofactor form a holoenzyme, or whole enzyme. If the cofactor is removed, the apoenzyme will not function. The cofactor can be a metal ion or a complex organic molecule called a coenzyme. Coenzymes may assist the enzyme by accepting atoms removed from the substrate or by donating atoms required by the substrate. Some coenzymes act as electron carries, removing electrons from the substrate and donating them to other molecules in subsequent reactions. Many coenzymes are derived from vitamins. The name of enzymes usually end in –ase. All enzymes can be grouped into six classes, according to the type of chemical reaction they catalyze. Enzymes within each of the major classes are named according to the more specific types of reactions they assist. They are:1. Oxidoreductase: oxidation-reduction in which oxygen and hydrogen are gained or lost.2. Transferase: Transfer of functional groups, such as an amino group, acetyl group, or phosphate group3. Hydrolase: hydrolysis (addition of water)4. Lyase: removal of groups of atoms without hydrolysis5. Isomerase: Rearrangement of atoms within a molecule6. Ligase: joining of two molecules (using energy usually derived from break down of ATP)Mechanism of Enzymatic ActionEnzymes can speed up chemical reaction in several ways. Whatever the method, the result is that the enzyme lowers the activation energy for the reaction without increasing the temperature or pressure inside the cell. Although scientists do not completely understand how enzymes lower the activation energy of chemical reaction, the general sequence of events in enzyme reaction is as follows:1. The surface of the substrate contacts a specific region of the surface of the enzyme molecule, called the active site.2. A temporary intermediate compound forms, called an enzyme-substrate complex.3. The substrate molecule is transformed by the rearrangement of existing atoms, the breakdown of the substrate molecule, or combination with another substrate molecule.4. The transformed substrate molecules – the products of the reaction – are released from the enzyme molecule because they no longer fit in the active site of the enzyme.5. The unchanged enzyme is now free to react with other substrate molecules.Enzymes are extremely efficient. Under optimum conditions, they can catalyze reaction at rates 108 to 1010 times (up to 10 billion times) higher than those of comparable reactions without enzymes
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