Words / B2

ENZ-ym/ˈenzaɪm/

An enzyme is a protein that speeds up a chemical reaction in a living organism: an enzyme; enzyme activity. Catalyst is the broader chemistry twin; substrate is what it acts on. Name the enzyme in the practical, then the substrate. Mix-up: enzyme vs energy; enzyme vs the organism itself; do not write enzyme for a vitamin or for heat as the only factor named.

Meaning

A protein that speeds up a chemical reaction in a living organism.

Examples

• “Name the enzyme in the practical, then the substrate, the biology paper said.”
• “Enzyme denaturation featured in the temperature graph, which is still a named °C — quote the optimum if given.”

Good to know

an enzyme; enzyme activity / denaturation; lock and key. Broader: catalyst. Acts on: substrate. Trap: energy / a vitamin / heat alone. Biology and chemistry. Biological catalyst — name the enzyme, the substrate, and the temperature.

Near in meaning

catalyst, biological catalyst, protein catalyst

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