Enzymes are special proteins that act as biological catalysts.
They speed up chemical reactions in living organisms without being used up or changed themselves.
Simple explanation:
Enzymes help reactions in the body happen faster and more efficiently — for example, breaking down food, building new molecules, or copying DNA.
Key points:
- Enzymes are made of proteins.
- Each enzyme works on a specific substance called a substrate.
- The place where the substrate fits into the enzyme is called the active site.
- After the reaction, the enzyme releases the product and can be reused.
Examples:
- Amylase breaks down starch into sugar in the mouth.
- Pepsin helps digest proteins in the stomach.
- DNA polymerase helps copy DNA in cells.
In short:
Enzymes are natural catalysts that make life’s chemical reactions happen quickly and efficiently.