What Organic Molecules Are Enzymes?

"Enzymes" is a general name used for molecules that catalyze specific chemical reactions. Enzymes speed up the overall rate of the chemical reaction without affecting the equilibrium of the reaction. Enzymes are organic molecules made inside your cells. Organic molecules are built mainly from carbon, oxygen and hydrogen atoms and include macromolecules such as proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids.

Enzymes Are Proteins

• Most typically, enzymes are proteins, but in some cases certain RNA molecules can function as enzymes. Proteins -- macromolecules that are built from amino acids -- have several functions in your body. These include structural molecules, hormones, molecules of the immune system, transporters and enzymes. Proteins that function as enzymes have names that end with "ase," such as amylase.

Enzymes Catalyze Several Reactions

• Enzymes are involved in numerous chemical reactions important to your everyday living. For example, enzymes catalyze reactions that convert nutrients such as glucose and lipids to energy inside your cells. Enzymes such as amylase and lipase function in the breakdown of nutrients to smaller particles inside your stomach. Enzymes such as DNA polymerase function in building new DNA strands inside the nucleus.