What is the difference between an enzyme and a catalyst?

Both, enzymes and catalysts affect the rate of a reaction without being consumed in the reactions themselves. All known enzymes are catalysts, but not all catalysts are enzymes.

Enzyme

• Is an organic biocatalyst
• Is a high molecular globular protein
• All known enzymes are catalysts
• Enzyme reaction rates are faster
• Increases the rate of chemical reactions and converts the substrate into a product
• Highly specific, producing large amounts of good residues
• C-C and C-H bonds are present
• Two types include activation and inhibitory enzymes
• Examples include lipase and amylase

Catalyst

• Is inorganic
• Is a low molecular weight compound
• All catalysts are not enzymes
• Catalyst reaction rates are typically slower
• May increase or decrease the rate of a chemical reaction
• C-C and C-H bonds are absent
• Not specific and may produce residues with errors
• Two types include positive and negative catalysts
• Example includes vanadium oxide