02.06 Enzymes

Cells produce a huge variety of proteins. Proteins have many different roles, some are structural (make structures e.g. hair) while others are functional (make things happen). Enzymes are a type of functionalprotein involved in metabolic processes which catalyse or speed up the breakdown (catabolism) and the building of molecules (anabolism) in our body, without being changed or used in the process (Figure2.6). Without enzymes, reactions in our body would not occur fast enough for us to function effectively. (Refer also to sections 4.5 and 5.1).

Figure 2.6 Enzymes help speed up the production of molecule C from molecules A and B (Copyright, QUT)