Nature of Enzyme Action
Enzymes are biological catalysts that increase the rate of biochemical reactions. The action of enzymes involves several key steps: First, an enzyme (E) binds to a substrate (S) at an active site, forming a transient enzyme-substrate complex (ES). This binding is crucial for the enzymatic reaction, as it allows the enzyme to induce a change in shape that enhances the fit around the substrate. Subsequently, the chemical bonds within the substrate are altered, leading to the formation of an enzyme-product complex (EP), which eventually dissociates into the products (P) and the unchanged enzyme (E) ready for another cycle.
Factors affecting enzyme activity include temperature, pH, and substrate concentration, all of which can influence the enzyme's tertiary structure and thus its functionality. Enzymes typically exhibit maximum activity under specific conditions known as optimum temperature and pH. An important aspect of enzyme action is the catalytic cycle, where enzymes efficiently convert substrates to products while remaining unchanged. This section emphasizes the remarkable efficiency and specificity of enzymes in biological systems.