how do enzymes differ from inorganic catalists ?
Enzymes | Inorganic catalysts |
---|---|
They are mostly globular proteins, some are ribonucleotides (ribozymes). | They are inorganic molecules or ions. |
They are very specific about the substrate. | One catalyst can work upon diverse substrates. |
Their activity is regulated very precisely by regulator molecules. | No such regulator mechanism exists. |
They are very sensitive to temperature and pH and work best in an optimum range and denature above or below it. | They are less sensitive to temperature and pH. |
They are synthesised in an organism's body as coded by its genome. | They are not synthesised in the living cells and can be found in soil etc. |
Examples include carboxylases, polymerases etc. | Examples include zinc, magnesium etc. |