Energy Diagram
Calculation of DELTA G
We calculate DELTA* G as the:
– Free energy of the product minus the free energy of the reactants.
– Thus, DELTA G is a negative value for a spontaneous reaction.
– It is also an exergonic reaction, because energy is released.
Enzymology: 1. Overview
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key features of enzymes
- Enzymes are biological catalysts that increase the rate of reaction by lowering activation energy.
- Enzymes catalyze the conversion of a substance called a substrate, to another substance, called a product.
- Enzymes act on a substrate to speed up the rate of creation of the product.
- Most enzymes are proteins, although RNA enzymes also exist.
- Enzymes are specific: any given enzyme will catalyze the conversion of a specific substrate to a specific product.
- Enzymes may require other organic or inorganic molecules, called coenzymes or cofactors, to enhance their activity.
- Enzyme activity is carefully regulated within the cell to control the rates of enzyme-catalyzed reactions.