Page 146 - The Miracle of Protein

144 THE MIRACLE OF PROTEIN

non-enzymatic reaction

activation energy
difference
stemming from
enzymes enzymatic reaction energy

matter

direction of reaction
{
product

Although enzymes do not enter into reactions themselves, they lower
the activation energy required for reactions to accelerate them. The
figure shows how long the reactions would take without the enzymes.

portant and accurate interventions. In addition, every enzyme

accelerates specific chemical reactions in the body. No enzyme
can perform the task of any other, because each one has been
created to perform its own particular reaction.
For instance, a large number of enzymes can be effective in
neutral-state liquid environments, while the enzymes charged

with digesting foodstuffs in the stomach can operate only un-
der acidic conditions. The enzyme amylase in saliva breaks
starch down into maltose and accompanies food down the
esophagus. When the food arrives in the stomach, the acid en-

vironment there neutralizes it. And it’s for a very good reason
because the enzyme's work is now finished and can damage the
stomach.