The Action of Enzymes
...reaction again. Biological catalysts are known as enzymes. These enzymes are constantly functioning in our body for a number of various reactions. The enzymes are complex proteins produced by living cells that promote a specific biomedical reaction by acting as a catalyst to the reaction (Encarta Online). The reactant that an enzyme acts upon throughout the reaction is known as the substrate. The substrate attaches to the active site of the enzyme, where its bonds are twisted and bent. This process is known as the enzyme-substrate complex, where the shape of the enzyme is tampered to satisfy the shape of the substrate. As the enzyme decreases the activation energy, the chemical reactions of the substrates are allowed to occur at a higher rate. Once the reaction is complete, the substrate is released, thus leaving the enzyme with an empty active site for another similar catalytic biological reaction. The factors that affect catalytic reactions are temperature pH levels of the active site, along with the surface area of the reactant. Throughout this experiment, the process and characteristics of the enzyme is observed. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which is produced by both animal and plant cells, is being used as the substrate for the chemical reactions that take place throughout the experiment. The enzyme catalase is what acts upon the hydrogen peroxide which catalyses the reaction between the animal and plant cells ...