General information of enzymes

Enzymes are polypeptides that catalyze biological reactions. They accelerate the metabolic reactions of a living organism, possessing a catalytic power 10⁶ to 10¹² times greater than that of spontaneous reactions. These biocatalysts are generally associated with small-sized cofactors; they are involved in processes such as biosynthesis, degradation, regulation, and reproduction. Enzymes are not consumed during the reaction and are recovered unchanged at the end of the catalyzed reaction.