Characteristics of Enzymes

Enzymes are the biochemical catalysts.They have the following important characteristics;

1: All enzymes are globular proteins.   2: They increase the rate of reaction without themselves being used up. 3:Their presence does not affect the nature or properties of end products. 4: Small amount of an enzyme can accelerate chemical reactions.             5: They are very specific in their action; a single enzyme catalyzes only a single chemical reaction or a group of related reactions.                              6: They are sensitive to even a minor change in pH, temperature and substrate concentration.            7: Some enzymes require a co-factor for their proper functioning.      8: They lower the activation energy of the reactions.