Enzymes are made of amino acids. Each enzyme has its own unique sequence of amino acids, which is determined by the genes in the cells. The vast majority of enzymes are made of only 20 different kinds of amino acid. The structure and function of the enzyme is determined by the order of the amino acids.
There are thousands of different enzymes that regulate bodily functions. Enzymes have been grouped into three categories: metabolic enzymes, digestive enzymes, and food enzymes.
Metabolic enzymes work within the cells to regulate such activity as detoxification and energy production.
Digestive enzymes break foods down and make them available for use in the body.
Food enzymes are those that are naturally present in raw foods and which perform the first stage in the breakdown of that food.
Four Steps of Enzyme Action
1. The enzyme and the substrate are in the same area. Some situations have more than one substrate molecule that the enzyme will change.
2. The enzyme grabs on to the substrate at a special area called the active site. The combination is called the enzyme/substrate complex. Enzymes are very, very specific and don't just grab on to any molecule. The active site is a specially shaped area of the enzyme that fits around the substrate. The active site is like the grasping claw of the robot on the assembly line. It can only pick up one or two parts.
3. A process called catalysis happens. Catalysis is when the substrate is changed. It could be broken down or combined with another molecule to make something new. It will break or build chemical bonds. When done, you will have the enzyme/products complex.
4. The enzyme releases the product. When the enzyme lets go, it returns to its original shape. It is then ready to work on another molecule of substrate.
More on enzymes? Check out the following links:
www.novozymes.com
www.corehealthproducts.com
www.chem4kids.com