Final answer:
Enzymes are primarily made up of amino acids forming polypeptide chains, creating the enzyme's specific 3D structure crucial for its functionality. An enzyme's active site is the region where substrates bind. Enzymes can also include cofactors, either inorganic ions or organic molecules known as coenzymes, which may be necessary for their activity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Components of Enzymes
Enzymes are biological molecules that act as catalysts and play a critical role in various biochemical reactions. Most enzymes are proteins made up of long chains of amino acids which fold into a specific 3D structure. This structure is vital for the enzyme's function.
The main components of an enzyme include one or more polypeptide chains and sometimes a cofactor. The polypeptide chains form the protein part of the enzyme, giving rise to the enzyme's primary, secondary, and tertiary structures. The active site of the enzyme, a small region typically formed by just a few amino acids, is where the substrate molecules bind and undergo a chemical transformation.
Enzymes may also require cofactors to be active. These cofactors can be inorganic ions, like zinc or Cu(I) ions, or organic molecules known as coenzymes. Coenzymes often originate from vitamins or are derived from vitamins, and are essential for the activity of many enzymes.