Enzyme - GCSE Chemistry Definition

An enzyme is a special type of protein found in living things that acts as a catalyst to speed up chemical reactions without being used up itself. Enzymes play a crucial role in processes like digestion, where they help break down food into nutrients that the body can easily absorb and use. Each enzyme is specific to a particular reaction. This means it only works with certain substances, much like a key fits into a specific lock. Enzymes are essential for our bodies to work properly because they speed up important chemical reactions inside cells. Understanding how enzymes work is an important part of studying both chemistry and biology.