Fig: Multienzyme system
Applications of Enzymes
- Enzymes are central to every
biochemical process. Acting in
organised sequences, they catalyse the
hundreds of step-wise reactions that
degrade nutrient molecules, conserve
and transform chemical energy, and
make biological macromolecules
from simple precursors. - The study of enzymes has immense
practical importance. In some
diseases, especially inheritable genetic
disorders, there may be a deficiency
or even a total absence of one or more
enzymes. Other disease conditions
may be caused by excessive activity
of an enzyme. - Measurements of the activities
of enzymes in blood plasma,
erythrocytes, or tissue samples are
important in diagnosing certain
illnesses. Many drugs act through
interactions with enzymes. Enzymes
are also important practical tools
in chemical engineering, food
technology, and agriculture. Certain
enzymes are useful as therapeutic
agents, analytical reagents, in genetic
manipulations and for industrial
applications (Table)