Term: enzymes
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.E02159

Definition:
Macromolecules, mostly of protein nature, that function as (bio)catalysts by increasing the reaction rates. In general, an enzyme catalyses only one reaction type (reaction specificity) and operates on only one type of substrate (substrate specificity). Substrate molecules are attacked at the same site (regiospecificity) and only one or preferentially one of the enantiomers of chiral substrates or of racemic mixtures is attacked (stereospecificity).

Related Terms:
1) (bio)catalysts (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.B00652).
2) substrate (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.S06083).
3) chiral (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.C01057).
4) racemic (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.R05026).

Source: PAC, 1992, 64, 143. 'Glossary for chemists of terms used in biotechnology (IUPAC Recommendations 1992)' on page 152 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199264010143)

Citation: 'enzymes' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.E02159

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