Scientific Basis of Enzymology
Enzymes are primarily proteins, with some catalytic RNAs (ribozymes) also recognized. They function as biological catalysts, speeding up reactions by reducing activation energy and remain unchanged post-reaction. Classical theories such as the "lock-and-key model" and the "induced fit model" describe substrate-enzyme interactions, while kinetic parameters (e.g., Michaelis-Menten constants) provide insight into enzyme efficiency.
Enzyme activity is highly sensitive to substrate concentration, pH, temperature, activators, and inhibitors, making precise regulation essential for biological systems. Enzymology also encompasses enzyme classification and nomenclature, inhibition mechanisms, and regulation pathways, which are vital for therapeutic development and biochemical engineering.