CHAPTER 20: Unit 1. Enzymes and Vitamins Definition
Enzymes and catalysts share the same function but at different locations.
Enzymes are increasing the rates of the reactions in biological and living environments (human body). The
Catalysts are increasing the rates of the reactions in none living environments (chemical reactions in industry).
Enzymes and catalysts are increasing the rates of reactions by decreasing the activation energies of the reactions.
The videos below illustrate the functions of the enzymes:
| The figure below illustrates the difference of biochemical reaction with and without the use of an enzyme: |
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| Reference: https://www.pathwayz.org/Tree/Plain/ACTIVATION+ENERGY+%5BENZYMES%5D |
| Example of a catalyzed reaction is given below: The enzyme is Proteolytic Enzyme. |
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| Reference: https://slideplayer.com/slide/7805629/ |
A chemical reaction can occur when the three conditions below are met:
1. The reactants must collide which each other
2. The reactants must align themselves so that the breakage and formation of a bond is facilitated
3. The reactants’ collision should provide enough energy to overcome the activation energy. This is very important condition for the reaction to progress and produces the products.