what are enzymes?

Enzymes are biological catalysts. They speed up chemical reactions in all living things, and allow them to occur more easily. They occur in plant cells and animal cells. Enzymes are chemical molecules, made up of proteins. They are too small to be seen either when they are inside cells or after they have been released from them, for example in the digestive system. Each particular enzyme has a unique, 3-dimensional shape shared by all its molecules. Within this shape there is an area called the active site where the chemical reactions occur.

Answered by Alex B. Biology tutor

3261 Views

See similar Biology GCSE tutors

Related Biology GCSE answers

All answers ▸

What are the similarities and differences between animal cells and plant cells?


Explain how enzymes work.


What is the function of bile?


What is a food chain we might see in the UK?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo
Cookie Preferences