Biology and Life Sciences - Understanding Enzymes

Biology and Life Sciences - Understanding EnzymesOne of the most fun and enjoyable parts of biology and life sciences is to understand the relationships between chemistry and the organism. Understanding the relationships between chemistry and organisms is the key to effective medication, disease research, and life science education. Understanding the relationships between chemistry and life sciences can be done through the study of enzymes and their reaction with bacteria, viruses, and living cells.Living organisms, whether they are alive or not, have a certain mechanism that allows them to live and survive. In order for these mechanisms to work, a single chemical element called a substrate is required for reactions to occur. This particular element is found in foods such as vegetables, meat, milk, fruit, and even plants and algae.The substrates can vary greatly in their composition. For example, tomatoes, peppers, and onions have much higher concentrations of amino acids and sugar t han beef, poultry, wheat, and oats. Therefore, some organisms can survive much better on a different substrate than other organisms. This difference in substrate content is what allows different organisms to live for different lengths of time.Enzymes are what bring all the diverse substrates together, activate the reactions, and metabolize them. When an enzyme binds and breaks down substrate, it creates another molecule to perform that function. The enzyme's enzymatic activity is what makes a living organism function at all. The enzyme's activity also creates a pool of highly-reactive molecules, which are transported to wherever there is need for the enzymes to perform their functions.Different enzymes can perform different functions and utilize different substrates. The enzymes function by breaking down different substrates into other chemicals, which are then used for the production of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Protein synthesis is the most active enzyme of all, which is why it is so important to maintain a healthy diet. Producing proteins in the liver is important to maintaining proper cell function, and other reactions involving proteins will occur throughout the body.One of the first things that any student of biology or life sciences learns about enzymes is that they are the basis for all biochemical reactions. They catalyze many different chemical reactions throughout the body, and they have a great impact on the way we live. These biochemical reactions are the building blocks for all life forms.Most of the enzyme's enzymes are found in the gut, where they help break down food molecules and digest them. These enzymes do not always stay in the gut; however, they are one of the most important sources of them in humans. Enzymes help produce nutrients like proteins, vitamins, and minerals, which are used throughout the body. Enzymes are the foundation of living organisms and life itself.