What are Enzymes ? Give important characteristics of enzyme catalysis.

Explanation

The general characteristics of enzyme catalysis are as follows :
i) Highly efficient : Enzymes are highly efficient in nature. It requires only in minute quantity
ii) Highly specific nature : Enzymes are highly specific in nature. It catalyses only one reaction.
iii) Optimum temperature and pH: The enzyme catalysts are active only at a particular temperature and pH. (Temperature 298 - 310 K and pH 5-7).
iv) Presence of activators and co-enzymes :The presence of activators and co-enzymes increase the activity of an enzyme. For example, `Na^+, Mn^(2+) , Co^(2+) ` etc.