Enzyme: a bio-macromolecule catalyst- protein
or RNA (ribozyme). Enzymes speed up the rate
of forward and reverse reactions by lowering the
activating energy of reaction, but they do not
change the equilibrium of the reaction
• Four properties of enzyme: (1) function as
catalyst; (2) catalyze highly specific reactions; (3)
couple reactions; (4) can be regulated
• Substrate: reactant of enzymatic reactions.
Some are highly specific. Some have broad
specificity.
• Sterospecificity: Enzymes act on only a single
stereoisomer of the substrate. Reaction
specificity- the lack of formation of wasteful byproducts