Enzymatic roles in metabolic functions
Enzymes are proteins that accelerate metabolic reactions by binding to substrates and catalyzing their transformation into product. Enzymes are very selective and will usually only react with a single substrate by binding at its active site. When the enzyme binds to the substrate, it modifies the substrate’s geometric and electronic configuration so that less free energy is required for the substrate to reach its transition state between substrate and product. Because they are not permanently altered by the reaction, a single molecule of enzyme can catalyze many individual reactions. Enzymes can greatly accelerate reaction rates, but their activity is limited to certain temperature and pH ranges. Outside of these ranges, the proteins will become denatured or lose functionality.
