are enzymes molecular compounds
1 Enzymes increase the rate of a reaction by decreasing the activation energy. 2  Enzymes will increase the rate constant, k, for the equation rate = k[A][B]. 3  Enzymes do NOT change the Keq of a reaction.  Enzymes do not change Keq because it lowers the activation energy for BOTH forward and reverse reactions. Despite the variety of their physiological function and differences in physical properties--silk is a flexible fiber, horn a tough rigid solid, and the enzyme pepsin water soluble crystals--proteins are sufficiently similar in molecular structure to warrant treating them as a single chemical family. Proteins, from the Greek proteios, meaning first, are a class of organic compounds which are present in and vital to every living cell. In the form of skin, hair, callus, cartilage, muscles, tendons and ligaments, proteins hold together, protect, and provide structure to the body of a multi-celled organism. In the form of enzymes, hormones, antibodies, and globulins, they catalyze, regulate, and protect the body chemistry. All known enzymes are proteins. They are high molecular weight compounds made up principally of chains of amino acids linked together by peptide bonds. See Figure 1. Enzymes can be denatured and precipitated with salts, solvents and other reagents. They have molecular weights ranging from 10,000 to 2,000,000. Many enzymes require the presence of other compounds - cofactors - before their catalytic activity can be exerted. 1 Function of enzymes in catalyzing biological reactions. 2  Enzymes are catalysts, which are things that increase the rate of a reaction, but does not get used up during the reaction. 3  Structure determines function. A change in structure => a change in function.  Important biological reactions catalyzed by enzymes: Molecular Biology: Enzymes and Metabolism. 1  Function of enzymes in catalyzing biological reactions.  Enzymes are catalysts, which are things that increase the rate of a reaction, but does not get used up during the reaction. 1 Function of enzymes in catalyzing biological reactions. 2  Enzymes are catalysts, which are things that increase the rate of a reaction, but does not get used up during the reaction.  Structure determines function. A change in structure => a change in function. All organic compounds contain carbon. The outer shell of the carbon atom. contains four electrons. In organic compounds, each carbon atom fills its. outer shell by sharing four pairs of electrons with other atoms. That is, each carbon atom forms four covalent bonds. Some of these bonds may. form between one carbon atom and another. A framework of carbon-to-. carbon bonds forms the basic structure in most organic compounds. Proteins and peptides, on the other hand, are composed of 15 to 25% nitrogen and about an equal amount of oxygen. The distinction between proteins and peptides is their size. Peptides are in a sense small proteins, having molecular weights less than 10,000. All three compounds are soluble in organic solvents (e.g. ether) and have relatively low melting points. The carboxylic acids have pKa's near 4.5, and the conjugate acid of the amine has a pKa of 10. The simple amino acid alanine is the last entry.
Yes they are high molecular weight compounds.