Enzymes are Proteins

Enzymes are nothing more than proteins, which mean they are organic molecules.

They have specific three-dimension shapes (like all proteins), and their shapes are what make them specific for particular reactions.

If they lose their shape (become denatured) they can no longer run reactions. One thing that can denature enzymes is heat. Hear destroys an enzyme's three-dimensional shape and prevents it from catalysing its reaction.

Enzymes are important because they help determine which particular chemical reactions a cell is going to run. Cells are like little bags of chemicals. Enzymes help determine which chemicals will react with one another to carry out the particular functions of a cell.

Sometimes enzymes need help in order to catalyse reactions. Molecules that help enzymes are called coenzymes. Coenzymes can help enzymes work faster, and some enzymes can't work at all without coenzymes.

What, specifically, are coenzymes? Vitamins. Vitamins are coenzymes. Can you see why getting the right vitamins in your diet is important?

Without vitamins, many enzymes would be unable to function properly, and man chemical reactions would not occur. If these chemical reactions were not to occur, your body's cells (and your body!) would not be able to work properly, if at all.