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Biology Question - Catalysts?

How are the 4 characteristics of a catalyst (1. organic or inorganic 2. reusable 3. Highly specific, and 4. lowers activation energy) important in preforming life functions? please be as specific as possible, i understand that these are characteristic, i just don't understand why they're beneficial, other than the reusable and lowers activation energy one.

Answer:

Organic or Inorganic - the catalyst (enzyme) must be organic to be found in the cell. Catalysts speed up chemical reactions inside a cell and must therefore be organic to be a functioning part of the cell. Reusable - There are so many reactions that catalysts are involved in that it would be a waste for the cell if a catalyst could only last one reaction, especially if there are inhibitors and competition for the active site. Catalysts must be reusable in order to keep the cell functioning. Catalysts always remain unchanged after a reaction. HIihly Specific - Catalysts are only made to catalyze one specific chemical reaction. Their active site has proteins bonded in such a way that only certain elements can enter the active site and H bond with those proteins. The fact that they are highly specific maximizes the productiveness of the cell. And it ensures that the cell only has catalysts to reactions that it needs to be completed. It also ensures that the elements are correctly bonded with eachother. If any two elements could enter the active site, there is no guarantee that the correct product will be produced. Catalysts and Enzymes must be super highly specific in order to properly function. Lowers Activation Energy - The more energy a cell has to spend to catalye a reaction, the worse it is for the cell and the less ATP is has for other reactions. Catalyts hold the substrates together so there is less energy that is needed to have the two substrates react with eachother. Activation Energy is the energy that is needed to start a reaction. So the less energy used by the cell for reactions, the better for the cell. Hope this helps

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