Enzymes
- [Arizona State -Forbes]
- Overview
Enzymes help speed up chemical reactions in the body. They are essential for breathing, digesting food, muscle and nerve function, and thousands of other functions. Every cell in the human body contains thousands of enzymes. Enzymes help facilitate chemical reactions within each cell. Since they are not destroyed in the process, the cells can reuse each enzyme. Enzymes help perform specific functions that are critical to the functioning of the body and overall health.
Most enzymes are proteins, although some are ribonucleic acid (RNA) molecules. RNA molecules translate information from DNA and produce proteins. Each cell contains thousands of enzymes that provide specific help throughout the body. Enzymes help maintain healthy chemical reactions. For example, they perform the necessary function of metabolism, the process of breaking down food and drinks into energy. Enzymes speed up (catalyze) chemical reactions in cells. More specifically, they lower the threshold needed to initiate the desired response. They do this by binding to another substance called a substrate.
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