Question

what an enzyme is, the basic naming mechanism that lets one know something is an enzyme, and the general characteristics of enzymes

Answer 1

Enzymes are bio-macromolecules, and are made up of amino acids. Amino acids are joined together in a long chain, which is folded to produce a unique 3D structure.

Basic naming mechanism

An enzyme's name is often derived from its substrate or the chemical reaction it catalyzes, with the word ending in -ase.

Where the substrate is normally in the form of an anion, its name should end in -ate.

Characteristics of enzymes

Enzymes speed up chemical reactions

Enzymes are required in minute amounts

Enzymes are specific (It follows Lock-Key hypothesis for substrate-Engyme).

Like catalysts, Enzymes speed up a chemical reaction by lowering the activation energy needed to start the reaction.

Enzymes remain unchanged in the reactions they catalyse, the same enzyme molecules can be used over and over again.

Like catalysts, enzymes increase the rate of a reaction by lowering its activation energy.