Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Chapter 1 The nature of biotechnology
- Chapter 2 Biomass: a biotechnology substrate?
- Chapter 3 Genetics and biotechnology
- Chapter 4 Bioprocess/fermentation technology
- Chapter 5 Enzyme technology
- Chapter 6 Biological fuel generation
- Chapter 7 Environmental biotechnology
- Chapter 8 Plant and forest biotechnology
- Chapter 9 Animal and insect biotechnology
- Chapter 10 Food and beverage biotechnology
- Chapter 11 Biotechnology and medicine
- Chapter 12 Stem cell biotechnology
- Chapter 13 Protection of biotechnological inventions
- Chapter 14 Safety in biotechnology
- Chapter 15 Public perception of biotechnology: genetic engineering – safety, social, moral and ethical considerations
- Chapter 16 Looking to the future
- Glossary
- Further reading
- Index
Chapter 5 - Enzyme technology
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 June 2012
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Chapter 1 The nature of biotechnology
- Chapter 2 Biomass: a biotechnology substrate?
- Chapter 3 Genetics and biotechnology
- Chapter 4 Bioprocess/fermentation technology
- Chapter 5 Enzyme technology
- Chapter 6 Biological fuel generation
- Chapter 7 Environmental biotechnology
- Chapter 8 Plant and forest biotechnology
- Chapter 9 Animal and insect biotechnology
- Chapter 10 Food and beverage biotechnology
- Chapter 11 Biotechnology and medicine
- Chapter 12 Stem cell biotechnology
- Chapter 13 Protection of biotechnological inventions
- Chapter 14 Safety in biotechnology
- Chapter 15 Public perception of biotechnology: genetic engineering – safety, social, moral and ethical considerations
- Chapter 16 Looking to the future
- Glossary
- Further reading
- Index
Summary
The nature of enzymes
Enzymes are complex globular proteins present in living cells where they act as catalysts that facilitate chemical changes in substances. In 1878 Kühne introduced the term ‘enzyme’ from the Greek enzumos, which refers to the leavening of bread by yeast. With the development of the science of biochemistry has come a fuller understanding of the wide range of enzymes present in living cells and of their modes of action. Without enzymes there can be no life. Although enzymes are only formed in living cells, many can be extracted or separated from the cells and can continue to function in vitro. This unique ability of enzymes to perform their specific chemical transformations in isolation has led to an ever-increasing use of enzymes in industrial and food processes, bioremediation and in medicine, and their production is collectively termed enzyme technology.
The activity of an enzyme is due to its catalytic nature. An enzyme carries out its activity without being consumed in the reaction, while the reaction occurs at a very much higher rate when the enzyme is present. Enzymes are highly specific and function only on designated types of compounds, the substrates. A minute amount of enzyme can react with a large amount of substrate. The catalytic function of the enzyme is due not only to its primary molecular structure but also to the intricate folding configuration of the whole enzyme molecule.
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- Biotechnology , pp. 73 - 94Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2009