- Enzymes are protein biocatalysts that increase the rate of chemical reactions without being consumed. They are specific in their action and composed of apoenzyme and coenzyme.
- The active site of an enzyme binds specifically to substrates and contains residues that help hold the substrate. Changes to the active site shape affect enzyme function.
- Factors like temperature, pH, substrate/product concentration, and presence of activators or inhibitors can regulate an enzyme's activity rate. Studying an enzyme's kinetics reveals its catalytic mechanism.
- Regulation allows cells to control metabolic pathways by modulating enzyme activity. Competitive inhibitors bind the active site while non-competitive inhibitors cause conformational changes. I