Definitions
- A protein that speeds up chemical reactions in living organisms. - A biological catalyst that helps break down molecules into smaller units. - A substance produced by living cells that acts as a catalyst to bring about specific biochemical reactions.
- A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process. - A chemical agent that accelerates a reaction by lowering the activation energy required. - A compound that initiates or speeds up a chemical reaction without being changed by the reaction itself.
List of Similarities
- 1Both enzyme and catalyst are substances that speed up chemical reactions.
- 2Both are involved in catalyzing reactions, meaning they lower the activation energy required for a reaction to occur.
- 3Both are used in industrial processes to increase the efficiency of chemical reactions.
- 4Both can be used repeatedly without being consumed in the reaction.
What is the difference?
- 1Specificity: Enzymes are highly specific to particular reactions and substrates, while catalysts can be more general and work on a wider range of reactions.
- 2Structure: Enzymes are typically larger and more complex than catalysts, which can be simple molecules or ions.
- 3Function: Enzymes are primarily involved in biological processes, while catalysts are used in both biological and non-biological processes.
- 4Naming: Enzymes are usually named after the substrate they act upon, while catalysts are named after the reaction they catalyze.
Remember this!
Enzyme and catalyst are both substances that speed up chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy required. However, enzymes are biological molecules produced by living cells that are highly specific to particular reactions and substrates, while catalysts can be either biological or non-biological, more general in their function, and can be simple molecules or ions.
