2.  Biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions.  They are specialized globular proteins that provide substrates with a lower activation energy barrier.  Catalysis occurs in the active site, which specifically binds to the substrates based on many chemical factors including shape, stereochemistry, electrical charge, and hydrophilic or hydrophobic considerations.  Central to every biochemical process.

3.  They are all allosteric proteins.  They remain unchanged by a reaction, and hence reusable.  Enzymes can catalyze biochemical reactions at room temperature to the order of 10 to 100 million times.  A small amount of enzyme can catalyze a large amount of substrate.  Enzymes will catalyze those reactions that are thermodynamically feasible. They cannot change the position of equilibrium.  Enzymes are affected by temperature, pH and pressure. They can be denatured by extreme conditions and chemicals.  The reactions are reversible.  Enzymes are specific to their substrates; one enzyme controls one reaction.

15.  Pro-drug therapy: Some medicines are delivered to the body in an inactive form. They only become active when they are acted on by enzymes in the body.  Lisdexamfetamine is a drug that can be used to help children who are affected by ADHD. Lisdexamfetamine is a prodrug – it is inactive.  In the body it is converted to dextroamphetamine by enzymes that remove a lysine (amino acid) group.  The active drug acts on neurotransmitters including serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline in the synapses of the brain

16.  The driving force in the development of enzyme technology is:  The development of new and better products, processes, and services to meet needs  The improvement of processes to produce existing products from new raw materials such as biomass.  Cost reduction  Improvement of biological properties and quality  Utilization of new re-generable sources of raw materials  Reduction of environmental impact