Which statement correctly describes enzymes?

Which statement correctly describes enzymes?

• A. They are biological catalysts (correct)
• B. They are inorganic minerals
• C. They are hormones
• D. They are lipids storing energy

Answer: (A)

Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in living things by providing an alternative reaction pathway with a lower activation energy. This allows reactions to proceed more rapidly without the enzyme being consumed in the process. Each enzyme has an active site that binds a specific substrate, with the fit often described as a key-and-lock or induced-fit interaction, giving enzymes their remarkable specificity. Most enzymes are proteins (though some RNA molecules can have catalytic activity, called ribozymes), and they typically function under particular conditions of temperature and pH. They may require cofactors or coenzymes to work properly. Enzymes are not inorganic minerals, nor are they hormones or lipids that store energy.

Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in living things by providing an alternative reaction pathway with a lower activation energy. This allows reactions to proceed more rapidly without the enzyme being consumed in the process. Each enzyme has an active site that binds a specific substrate, with the fit often described as a key-and-lock or induced-fit interaction, giving enzymes their remarkable specificity.

Most enzymes are proteins (though some RNA molecules can have catalytic activity, called ribozymes), and they typically function under particular conditions of temperature and pH. They may require cofactors or coenzymes to work properly. Enzymes are not inorganic minerals, nor are they hormones or lipids that store energy.