ENZYMES Enzymes are protein molecules which can be defined as biological catalysts.

All enzymes are globular proteins and every enzyme has a small region somewhere on its globular surface known as an active site. They are relatively large molecules, consisting of hundreds of amino acids.

THE CHARACTERISTICS OF ENZYMES They are globular proteins generally soluble in water They act as catalysts- speeding up the chemical reaction, but not being used up as part of reaction. They are specific catalysing a reaction involving only one type of substrate The globular structure contains a pocket or cleft area called an active site Their activity is affected by temperature and pH.