Describe the important properties of enzymes.

Almost all the enzymes are proteins. Important properties of enzymes are as follows:

• They have a higher molecular weight and are complex macromolecules
• They catalyse the biochemical reactions involved in the cell, assisting in breaking down larger molecules into simpler molecules or getting together two smaller molecules to form a larger one
• Enzymes do not initiate but accelerate a reaction
• They affect the rate of biochemical reaction and do not influence the direction of the reaction
• They are action-specific
• Higher turnover of enzymes causes an increase in the efficiency of a reaction. Most of the enzymes have high turnover number.
• Enzymes are affected by temperature. As the temperature increases, enzymatic activity decreases. Maximum activity is observed at 30-40 degree Celsius.

• Maximum activity is observed at 6-8 pH level
• With an increase in substrate concentration, the enzymatic velocity also increases reaching maximum velocity