The properties of enzymes can be grouped into five types:
Catalytic property
Enzymes have extraordinary catalytic power. A small amount of enzyme is enough to break large molecules down into smaller molecules or bring two smaller molecules together to form a larger molecule.
Enzymes do not start a reaction nor do they influence the direction of the reaction. They only help in accelerating the reaction.
Although enzymes affect the rate of a biochemical reaction, they remain unchanged after the reaction.
Specificity
Enzymes are very specific in action, with one enzyme acting only on a particular substrate.
Enzymes are also specific to a particular type of reaction.
Enzymes exhibit different types of specificity such as Substrate, Group, Geometric, Bond, Cofactor, and Stereoscopic specificity.
Reversibility
Most reactions that are catalyzed by enzymes are reversible. Very few are not reversible.
The reversibility of a reaction depends on the cell’s needs.
In some cases, the enzymes that catalyze the forward and reverse reactions may be different.
Sensitivity to temperature
Enzymes are thermos-liable or very sensitive to heat and temperature.
Enzyme activity is highest at optimum temperature, which is between 20°C and 30°C.
Enzyme activity increases as the temperature increases but only up to a certain level. At higher temperatures of 60 -70°C enzymes denature and become completely inactive.
Enzymes are inactive at very low temperatures.
Specificity to pH or hydrogen ion concentration
Enzymes show maximum activity at an optimum pH of 6 – 8.
Enzymes are specific for their pH requirement.
Some enzymes are active in basic pH above 7. Others are active in acidic pH below 7. Some others are active in neutral pH.