MadSci Network: Biochemistry |
I understand that enzymes play a crucial role in accelerating and regulating the rate of reactions in our body but isnt there any reaction in our body which can proceed without the intervention of enzymes just like there are chemical reactions which can proceed without catalysts? Also I understand that most of the reactions in our body proceed at a steady state that is these do not achieve equilibrium.Then why does the body depend upon enzymes which accelerate the rate of reaction manifold and helps to attain equilibrium faster? One last question.When I read about this topic.I found that a particular reaction when happening invitro with the help of Fe as catalyst gives 30000 molecules of the product but when the same occurs in the presence of catalase enzyme which has Fe as cofactor the rate of product formation is 10000000 or so...What brings about this kind of a difference in the reaction?Is it the additional structure of the protein(enzyme) that helps to hold the substrates together which facilitates the reaction faster than Fe could? Thank you for your valuable time in answering my questions.
Re: Are there reactions in our body that can take place without enzymes?
Try the links in the MadSci Library for more information on Biochemistry.