The 4 functions of enzymes are to catalyze chemical reactions by lowering activation of energy, breaking down large molecules into smaller molecules, building new molecules and regulating metabolic pathways.
Essentially the enzymes functions is to speed up biochemical reactions within the body and allow for energy production, cellular processes as well as efficient digestion.
The 6 types of enzymes are hydrolases, oxidoreductases, lyases, transferases, ligases and isomerases.
Oxidoreductases enzymes catalyze oxidation reduction reactions, where oxygen and hydrogen are gained or lost.
Transferases enzymes transfer functional groups, such as amino groups, phosphate groups, or acetyl groups.
Hydrolases enzymes break bonds using water.
Lyases enzymes break bonds without using water or oxidation.
Isomerases enzymes convert a molecule from one isomer to another.
Ligases enzymes joint two molecules together.
Enzymes work by binding to specific molecule that are called substrates at a designated area on their structure which is called the active site.
Essentially the binding of the enzyme works and acts like a lock and a key mechanism and then allows the enzyme to speed up a chemical reaction by lowering the activation energy that is needed for the reaction to occur.
As a result it transforms the substrate into a product and releases it afterwards, while the enzyme itself still remains unchanged and can then be reused again for another reaction.
The process is also described as catalysis.
Enzymes are proteins and act upon substrate molecules and decrease the activation energy necessary for a chemical reaction to occur by stabilizing the transition state.
There are thousands of known enzymes, and as a group, enzymes catalyze a very wide variety of reactions and some are exothermic (exergonic) and some endothermic (endergonic).
Enzymes are important and act as catalysts, which means that the enzymes make biochemical reactions happen faster than they would otherwise.
Without enzymes, these reactions simply would not occur or would run too slowly to sustain life.
For example, without enzymes, digestion in the body would be impossible.
An enzyme marker test can provide you with important information about your organ function, disease progression and treatments.
A doctor may order an enzyme marker test to diagnose or rule out a condition if you're having certain symptoms.
A cardiac enzyme test helps assess heart damage after a heart attack.