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ENZYMES
Enzymes are proteins that act as biological catalysts in living organisms
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Enzymes are highly specific and can catalyze a
particular chemical reaction or group of related reactions
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This means they make it easier for the reactants to combine and form products
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Enzymes have a unique three-dimensional structure that is critical to their function
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Any
change in the sequence or structure of the enzyme can affect its activity or even render it
completely non-functional
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ENzymology
Enzymology is the study of enzymes, including their structure, function, and mechanism of
action
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This field encompasses a range of
scientific disciplines, including biochemistry, molecular biology, biophysics, and microbiology
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They investigate the mechanisms by which enzymes bind
to their substrates, lower the activation energy of chemical reactions, and release the
products
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Enzymology has many practical applications, including the development of new drugs and
therapies, the optimization of industrial processes, and the design of new enzymes with
novel properties
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Mode of action of enzymes
The mode of action of enzymes refers to the specific way in which enzymes catalyze
chemical reactions
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The mode of action of
enzymes can be described in several steps:
1
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2
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Enzymes are able to do this
by lowering the activation energy required for the reaction to occur
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Product release: After the chemical reaction is complete, the enzyme releases the
product(s) and is free to bind to another substrate molecule
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Regeneration: The enzyme is regenerated and is available to catalyze another round of
the same reaction
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Enzymes are typically very
selective in the substrates they bind to and the reactions they catalyze, and this specificity is
critical to their biological function
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Some of the key properties of enzymes include:
1
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This specificity arises from the precise three-dimensional
structure of the enzyme and the shape of its active site, which is the region where the
substrate(s) bind and the chemical reaction occurs
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Catalytic activity: Enzymes can accelerate chemical reactions by factors of up to several
million-f
non-competitive, meaning they bind to another part of the enzyme and cause a
conformational change that reduces enzyme activity
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Cofactors and coenzymes: Many enzymes require cofactors or coenzymes to function
properly
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Deficiencies in cofactors or coenzymes can impair enzyme activity and lead to
disease
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Understanding these factors is critical for understanding
the function of enzymes in living systems and for developing strategies to manipulate
enzyme activity for biotechnological and therapeutic applications
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There are six main classes of enzymes:
1
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Examples include dehydrogenases,
oxidases, and reductases
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Transferases: These enzymes catalyze the transfer of functional groups, such as amino,
methyl, or phosphate groups, from one molecule to another
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3
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Examples include lipases, proteases, and nucleases
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Lyases: These enzymes catalyze the cleavage of chemical bonds in molecules, often
without the addition or removal of water
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5
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Examples
include epimerases and racemases
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Ligases: These enzymes catalyze the joining of two molecules, often through the use of
ATP as an energy source
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Enzymes are typically named according to a systematic nomenclature based on their
function and substrate
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Enzyme names
often end with the suffix "-ase", and the prefix indicates the substrate or type of reaction
catalyzed
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Co-Factors of Enzymes
Co-factors are small molecules or ions that are required for the proper functioning of some
enzymes
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There are two main types of co-factors: metal ions and coenzymes
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Metal ions: Some enzymes require metal ions as co-factors to catalyze their reactions
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Other metal ions that can act as co-factors include iron,
copper, magnesium, and calcium
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Coenzymes: Coenzymes are organic molecules that are required for enzyme function
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Many coenzymes are derived from vitamins, and deficiencies in these
vitamins can lead to enzyme dysfunction and disease
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Co-factors are essential for the proper functioning of many enzymes, and their absence can
lead to enzyme dysfunction and disease
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Importance of Enzymes
Enzymes play a critical role in many biological processes, and are essential for life
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Metabolism: Enzymes catalyze the chemical reactions that occur in cells, including the
breakdown of nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, and the synthesis of
cellular components such as DNA, RNA, and proteins
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Digestion: Enzymes produced in the digestive system help to break down food into
smaller, more absorbable molecules that can be used by the body for energy and other
functions
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Energy production: Enzymes are involved in the production of energy in cells through
processes such as glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation
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Detoxification: Enzymes help to break down and eliminate harmful substances from the
body, such as drugs and environmental toxins
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Immune function: Enzymes are involved in the immune response, helping to identify and
destroy foreign substances such as viruses and bacteria
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Industrial applications: Enzymes are used in a wide range of industrial processes,
including food production, textile manufacturing, and biofuels production, among others
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Understanding the mechanisms of enzyme action and regulation is
critical for developing new therapies for these diseases, as well as for developing new
biotechnological applications of enzymes

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