What are the limitations of using enzymes?
Posted February 22, 2024
Answer
Enzymes are biological molecules - typically proteins - that act as catalysts. They speed up chemical reactions within cells by lowering the activation energy required for the reactions to occur. Limitations of using enzymes include:
- While enzyme specificity is an advantage for targeted reactions, it limits their use in certain processes.
- They are sensitive to changes in pH and temperature. Too high temperatures or extreme pH can denature or deactivate enzymes permanently.
- Enzymes are susceptible to degradation over time, which compromises their activity and efficiency.
Additional resources
Enzymes: principles and biotechnological applications
Amplite® Fluorimetric Coenzyme A Quantitation Kit *Green Fluorescence*