What are the Properties of Enzymes and How do Two Theories Explain their Mechanisms?

The way enzymes work is very interesting. Enzymes in the body have an unusual way of working. Enzyme itself is an important component in the body of living things.

Because of the presence of enzymes, a metabolism becomes perfect. Enzymes work in interesting and unique ways in the body.

Read Also: What are the Functions of the Catalase Enzyme in the Human Body?

How Enzymes Work in the Body

Launching from Wikipedia, enzymes are biomolecules in the form of proteins and have a function as catalysts in organic chemical reactions.

Catalyst itself means a compound that can speed up the reaction process without running out of the reaction. The initial molecule is called a substrate and will be accelerated so that the change in the molecule that is the product occurs.

In other words, enzymes are compounds that consist of protein and catalytic components. The main function of this enzyme is to accelerate metabolic processes in living bodies.

What are the Properties of Enzymes?

This enzyme has unique properties. These properties include:

• It is a biocatalyst which means it can speed up the reaction process without participating in the reaction.
• Accelerate the reaction rate without changing the product composition.
• Involved in the reaction, but the amount will remain the same.
• Enzymes lower the activation energy.
• Only able to catalyze certain reactions or only work on a substrate.
• The body needs small amounts and its work can be hampered by certain substances.

How do enzymes work?

The system or way of working of enzymes actually occurs in metabolic reactions by lowering the activation energy. Energy is important to start a reaction.

By minimizing the ‘cost’, the process takes place more quickly. The activation energy can then be likened to an ‘operational cost’ in a production.

Read Also: Pepsin Enzyme Function which is Very Important for Human Digestion

The lower the operational costs that come out, the work process will definitely be faster. The way the enzymes work is important in accelerating chemical reactions, namely by interacting with the substrate.

Furthermore, the substrate will be converted into a product. When it has formed a product, the enzyme will break away from the substrate because it is unable to react with the substrate.

There are two theories about how enzymes work in the body. Here is the theory.

1. Lock and Key Theory

This first theory is the finding of Emil Fischer (1894). He explained that enzymes cannot bind to substrates that have a specific shape or to the active site of the enzyme.

The substrate has only a physically suitable shape with which the enzyme can associate. Thus, the theory of how enzymes work is called the lock and key theory.

The analogy is the substrate as a padlock, while the enzyme as the key. Padlocks and locks have compatibility with one side in order to be able to open or vice versa.

The drawback of this theory is that it is unable to explain how the stability of the enzyme occurs. The stability comes from the transition point in the enzyme reaction.

2. Induced Fit Theory

Next is the theory of how the induced fit enzyme works. The use of this theory occurred in 1958 by a scientist named Daniel Koshland.

He explained that enzymes have an active side and are also flexible. Even so, the enzyme site also has a specific or the same binding point.

Therefore, only the substrate which has a specific increase point can be induced towards the active site of the enzyme.

After that, the results will appear in the form of a match or fitting when the process forms the substrate. In general, Daniel Koshland’s theory is good.

The existence of this theory can answer various deficiencies that previously existed in the lock and key theory. Thus, this theory also serves as a complement to the previous theory.

Behind the way it works, enzymes are composed of protein (apoenzim) and also non-protein compounds or called cofactors.

Read Also: Amylase Enzyme Functions and Human Digestive Process Disorders

Of course, what distinguishes enzymes from other types of proteins is their clastic nature. These properties come from the cofactor group in the form of inorganic compounds (metal ions) or organic compounds (coenzymes and prosthetic groups).

There are several factors that can affect the work of enzymes in the body. These factors are substrate, acidity, temperature, inhibitors, and cofactors.

Through this theory, we can understand how enzymes work in the body which are extraordinary and even become one of the most important components. (R10/HR-Online)