Question

Write short notes on enzymes and vitamins.

Answer 1

Hint: Enzymes accelerate chemical reactions which are occurring inside the body of an organism. An organic molecule which is an essential micronutrient which is required in small amounts for proper functioning of the body is known as vitamins.

Complete answer:
Enzymes are proteins which act as biological catalysts. Substrates are the molecules on which enzymes may act upon. Almost all the metabolic processes which are occurring in our body to sustain life on earth are catalyzed by enzymes. Enzymes help the biological reaction to occur faster inside the body of an organism. The study of enzymes is known as enzymology. They are known to catalyze around 5000 biochemical reactions in our body.

Other biocatalysts are catalytic RNA molecules which are known as ribozymes. They also lower the activation energy required for a reaction to increase the reaction rate. Some enzymes convert the substrate to the product upto millions times faster. They are highly specific in nature. They can be affected by other molecules, inhibitors and activators.

Vitamins are organic molecules which are required in small quantities which ensures the proper functioning of an organism. Some of them can be produced in our body in adequate amounts while some of them cannot therefore we have to acquire them from diet. Most of the vitamins are a group of molecules, not a single molecule and are known as vitamers.

There are six major types of vitamins A, B, C, D, E, F and each of them has a different function. Like vitamin A helps cell growth and differentiation, vitamin B acts as enzyme cofactors and vitamin D helps in metabolism of bones and other organs.

Note:
Enzymes are proteins which act as biological catalysts. They accelerate chemical reactions which are occurring inside the body of an organism. Vitamins are organic molecules which are required in small quantities which ensures the proper functioning of an organism.