Enzymes play a key role in protein metabolism by helping chemical reactions happen quickly and correctly inside the body.
Here’s a explanation:
- Protein digestion:
Enzymes like pepsin, trypsin, and peptidase break down large protein molecules into smaller amino acids during digestion. - Amino acid conversion:
Other enzymes help modify amino acids — for example, by removing or transferring amino groups (processes like deamination and transamination). - Energy production:
Enzymes help convert the remaining carbon parts of amino acids into molecules that enter energy pathways (like the Krebs cycle) to make ATP. - Protein synthesis:
Enzymes are also needed to join amino acids together to make new proteins in cells.
In short:
Enzymes in protein metabolism break down proteins, convert amino acids, and build new proteins — making sure the whole process runs smoothly and efficiently.