What are enzymes?

• Enzymes are catalysts, protein in nature, which speeds up reactions by reducing the activation energy required to form products. Enzymes perform various functions in organisms as almost all reactions depend on enzymes to proceed.

Explanation:

Enzyme consist of a structure like a 'pocket' called active site, where the substrate binds to form enzyme-substrate complex than proceeds to form products. Enzymes are protein in nature, specific to substrates, and which are affected by factors such as temperature, pH etc. Examples include kinase enzymes which is responsible for phosphorylation, lactase which breaks down lactose etc.