Facts About Enzymes - Definition, Functions and Examples

Do you know that enzymes are present in all living organisms and responsible for various functions such as immunity, digestion, and brain functionality? They are secreted in various organs of the body. It helps in catalysing the reactions. Enzymes also play an important role in their impacts and effects on the body. Almost all metabolic reactions in living things require enzymes to balance them.

Table of Contents:

What are Enzymes?
Types of Enzymes
Facts About Enzymes
Practice Problems On Enzymes

What are Enzymes?

Enzymes are referred to as protein molecules found in all living cells. It helps in catalysing and speeding up the biochemical reactions of living organisms. As enzymes are not used in the process, they can be used again. The body can break complex compounds into simpler ones with the help of enzymes. Substrate refers to the molecules that join the enzymes to give chemical reactions. The “lock and key” concept explains the relationship between an enzyme and a substrate. Both of them change their form to bind with each other.

Types of Enzymes

There are two types of enzymes. They are:

Digestive enzymes
Restriction enzymes

Digestive enzymes

As the name of digestive enzymes suggests, this enzyme helps in the digestion of food. These protein molecules fasten the chemical reaction, which transforms the nutrients into compounds for absorption by the digestive system. This type of enzyme is present in the saliva. Digestive enzymes are released by digestive organs such as the liver, pancreas and gallbladder. They are also present in the lining cells of the intestines.

Restriction enzymes

The restriction enzyme is a bacterial protein that splits the DNA at certain places, which is called restriction. In a living bacteria, the restriction enzyme protects Bacteriophages. Restriction enzymes detect and destroy by cleaving Bacteriophages’ DNA at restricted locations. When the restriction enzyme recognises the DNA sequence, it cuts the molecule by hydrolysing the link between adjacent nucleotides.

Facts About Enzymes

Enzymes are secreted in various parts of the body, such as the pancreas, liver, stomach, mouth, small intestines, etc.
Enzymes play an important role in many functions of the human body, such as digestion, excretion, absorption, reproduction, etc.
Enzymes disintegrate food in the digestive system by keeping the nutrients and dissolving the other bonds.
Enzymes have a great impact on health and lifestyle. It is important to maintain a proper diet and healthy lifestyle for the production of healthy enzymes in the body.
As a person gets old, the production of enzymes in the body decreases. During the ageing process, the body can generate very less lipase, protease and amylase.
Plant-based digestive enzymes are used as a supplement to help in breaking down food items such as dairy products, fats, carbohydrates, sugars, etc.
There are different types of enzymes for a wide range of foods. The body disintegrates and absorbs different types of nutrients such as fats, carbohydrates, etc. So the body produces enzymes such as amylase, protease and lipase.
Enzymes boost the health of the digestive tract in kids by disintegrating a wide range of food.
It is widely used in the biotechnology industry as a molecular scissor to cut DNA fragments.
Enzymes are responsible for body movement by generating energy with the help of myosin enzymes that hydrolyses ATP.

Practice Problems On Enzymes

Q1. Which of the following enzymes cleaves the DNA?

a. Digestive enzymes
b. Restriction enzymes
c. Metabolic enzymes
d. None of the above

Ans: b. Restriction enzymes

The restriction enzyme is a bacterial protein that splits the DNA at certain places, which is called restriction.

Q2. Enzymes are ___________ molecules.

a. Nutrient
b. Protein
c. Mineral
d. Compound

Ans: b. Protein

Enzymes are referred to as protein molecules found in all living cells. It helps in catalysing and speeding up the biochemical reactions of living organisms.

Q3. Which of the following enzymes are present in the liver?

a. Digestive enzymes
b. Restriction enzymes
c. Metabolic enzymes
d. None of the above

Ans: a. Digestive enzymes

Digestive enzymes are released by digestive organs such as the liver, pancreas and gallbladder. They are also present in the lining cells of the intestines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What are the functions of enzymes?
Answer: The important function of enzymes is to transfer signals from one cell to another. It maintains a series of molecular events. It helps in breaking down large molecules into smaller molecules.

Q2. What are the factors that affect enzyme activity?
Answer: Factors such as temperature, concentration, and pH of the system influence the enzyme's activity.

Q3. What is meant by Hydrolases?
Answer: Hydrolases is an enzyme that helps in catalysing the breakdown of large molecules into smaller molecules with water.