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chem I fupplement
MICHAEL R. SLABAUGH HELENJ. JAMES Weber State College Ogden. Utah 84408
The Catalytic Function of Enzymes Allan G. Splmgerber Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, MN 56082 Enzymes are molecules that catalyze or speed up reactions occurring in living cells. The means by which these large protein molecules accelerate reactions has been intensively investigated for a long time. There are several reasons for this close examination of enzymes. Enzymes are exceptionally good catalysts, capable of increasing reaction rates by factors of lo6 to 10". Temperature and pH conditions required are generally mild. Organic reactions by comparison often require more extreme conditions for much longer periods of time t o produce products which may be contaminated with unwanted hyproducts. Enzymes are specific, i.e., each enzyme catalyzes the chemical transformation of a particular reactant molecule or a t least of a closely related group of reactants. They are versatile catalysts in that many types of reactions are catalyzed by the 2000 known enzymes. Finally, enzyme reactions are controllable. The rate of a reaction may he varied within the cell bv adjustments of enzvme concentration. of reactant and produc
