Question

Define the terms catalyst, enzyme and active site.

Answer 1

Catalyst is a substance which does not take part in reaction but provides a new or alternative path with low activation energy for reactants.

It has following properties:

1. Catalyst can change the rate of the reaction by providing a new or alternative path.
2. Catalyst can low the activation energy for reactants.
3. Catalyst is not taking part in reaction; hence it can regenerate in its original state after the completion of reaction.
4. In general; a catalyst increases the rate of reaction.
5. Catalyst does not affect the equilibrium means in both case the equilibria are identical.

Enzymes:

Enzymes are naturally catalyst made up by large molecules of proteins.

Generally enzymes are globular proteins. In enzyme the structure of protein is tertiary

The active site of an enzyme is the site or region where substrate molecules bind and undergo a chemical reaction.