3.1 Enzymes - AP Biology

Enzymes are proteins that act as a biological catalyst (any type of substance that speeds up a reaction), mediating reactions in living things and making sure reactions happen when and where they needs them to continue living

-An enzyme’s structure is crucial to its function

Enzymes speed up reactions by lowering activation energy (energy required for a reaction to begin), not participate of the reaction because it remains after the reaction, it just enables the reaction to happen, it makes sure the energy required to begin that reaction is low

Enzymes enable living things’ metabolism (all chemical reactions within a living thing) by allowing cells to choose when reactions take place