Final answer:
Enzymes are proteins that catalyze biochemical reactions in the body by lowering the activation energy. They can be denatured when exposed to extreme temperature, pH, or chemicals.
Step-by-step explanation:
Enzymes are proteins that play a crucial role in catalyzing biochemical reactions in the body. They work by lowering the activation energy required for a reaction to occur, thereby speeding up the reaction. Enzymes are specific to the substrates they bind to and have an active site where the substrate binds.
Enzymes can be denatured when exposed to extreme temperature, pH, or certain chemicals. Denaturation is a process in which the enzyme's three-dimensional structure is disrupted, causing it to lose its shape and function. Heat, high or low pH, and extreme chemical conditions can disrupt the weak bonds that maintain the enzyme's structure, leading to denaturation.