Catalysts vs. Enzymes

[Tiffany Wu 1K]

In the course reader it says, "Catalysts and enzymes lower free energy of transition states and increase k."

What's the difference between a catalyst and an enzyme?

[Alex Chen 1B]

Enzymes are just biological catalysts that catalyze biochemical reactions. So all enzymes are catalysts, but not all catalysts are enzymes.

[Joshua Eidam 2A]

Enzymes are proteins used in biological systems that act in the same way as catalysts. In that regard, they are the same thing as a catalyst; however, not all catalysts are enzymes necessarily.

[FrancescaHawkins2H]

My understanding is that enzymes are basically biological examples of catalysts. They both work to lower the activation energy of a reaction. However, Dr. Lavelle mentioned something in class about also changing the orientation of molecules so that they can bond. Is this something that only enzymes do, or is it done by all or even some other catalysts as well?

[Rachael Cohen 3G]

Enzymes are an example of catalysts. They change the pathway of a reaction in order to lower the activation energy.

[Joseph_Armani_3K]

An enzyme is a biological catalyst, responsible for synthesizing and breaking down compounds in living organisms. So, in essence, all enzymes are catalysts, but not all catalysts are enzymes. Hope this helps!

[705748759]

Enzymes are catalysts for biochemical reactions, so all enzymes are catalysts but not all catalysts are enzymes

[Erika Cha 1K]

Enzymes are catalysts in a biological application. Enzymes and catalysts both speed up reactions (do the same thing), but not all catalysts are enzymes.

[Jenifer_Fonseca]

Hello,

I feel like the easiest way to differentiate these two is because catalyst increase/decrease the rate of the chemical reaction while enzymes increase the rate but convert substrate into product.