Enzymes

Definition

Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in living organisms without being consumed in the process. They play a crucial role in facilitating various biochemical reactions necessary for life, including those involved in metabolism and DNA replication.

Related terms

Catalyst:

A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without undergoing any permanent chemical change itself.

Substrate:

The specific reactant that an enzyme acts upon during a biochemical reaction.

Activation Energy:

The minimum quantity of energy that the reacting species must possess in order to undergo a specified reaction