Table of contents

1. Matter and Measurements4h 31m
2. Atoms and the Periodic Table5h 23m
3. Ionic Compounds2h 18m
4. Molecular Compounds2h 18m
5. Classification & Balancing of Chemical Reactions3h 17m
6. Chemical Reactions & Quantities2h 27m
7. Energy, Rate and Equilibrium3h 46m
8. Gases, Liquids and Solids3h 25m
9. Solutions4h 10m
10. Acids and Bases3h 29m
11. Nuclear Chemistry56m
BONUS: Lab Techniques and Procedures1h 38m
BONUS: Mathematical Operations and Functions47m
12. Introduction to Organic Chemistry1h 34m
13. Alkenes, Alkynes, and Aromatic Compounds2h 12m
14. Compounds with Oxygen or Sulfur1h 6m
15. Aldehydes and Ketones1h 1m
16. Carboxylic Acids and Their Derivatives1h 11m
17. Amines39m
18. Amino Acids and Proteins1h 51m
19. Enzymes1h 37m
20. Carbohydrates1h 41m
21. The Generation of Biochemical Energy2h 8m
22. Carbohydrate Metabolism2h 22m
23. Lipids2h 26m
24. Lipid Metabolism1h 45m
25. Protein and Amino Acid Metabolism1h 37m
26. Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis2h 54m

19. Enzymes

Intro to Enzymes

GOB Chemistry

19. Enzymes

Intro to Enzymes

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1:47 minutes

Problem 69

Textbook Question

How do enzymes differ from catalysts used in chemical laboratories?

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the definition of enzymes: Enzymes are biological molecules, typically proteins, that act as catalysts in biochemical reactions. They are highly specific to the reactions they catalyze and operate under mild conditions such as body temperature and neutral pH.

Understand the definition of laboratory catalysts: Catalysts used in chemical laboratories are often inorganic substances or metals that speed up chemical reactions. They are not specific to a single reaction and can work under a wide range of conditions, including high temperatures and pressures.

Compare specificity: Enzymes are highly specific, meaning they only catalyze specific reactions with specific substrates. Laboratory catalysts, on the other hand, are more general and can catalyze a variety of reactions.

Compare operating conditions: Enzymes function under mild conditions, such as physiological temperature and pH, whereas laboratory catalysts often require extreme conditions like high temperatures, pressures, or strong acids/bases.

Compare structure and mechanism: Enzymes have complex three-dimensional structures that include an active site where the substrate binds. This structure allows for precise control of the reaction. Laboratory catalysts typically lack such complex structures and rely on simpler mechanisms to lower activation energy.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Enzymes

Enzymes are biological catalysts that accelerate chemical reactions in living organisms. They are typically proteins that lower the activation energy required for reactions, allowing them to occur more efficiently and at lower temperatures. Enzymes are highly specific, meaning each enzyme typically catalyzes only one type of reaction or acts on a specific substrate.

Chemical Catalysts

Chemical catalysts are substances that increase the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process. Unlike enzymes, which are often complex proteins, chemical catalysts can be metals, metal oxides, or other inorganic compounds. They can operate under a wider range of conditions, including extreme temperatures and pressures, and are not limited to biological systems.

Specificity and Mechanism

The specificity of enzymes is a key difference from chemical catalysts, as enzymes are designed to interact with specific substrates through a unique active site. This specificity is often accompanied by a complex mechanism involving intermediate states, which is less common in chemical catalysts. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for applications in biochemistry and industrial processes, where precise control over reactions is desired.