Explain the characteristics of enzyme catalysis.

(N/A) The characteristics of enzyme catalysis are as follows:
$(i)$ Highly efficient: One molecule of an enzyme may transform one million molecules of the reactant per minute.
$(ii)$ Highly specific nature: Each enzyme is specific for a given reaction; for example,the enzyme urease catalyses the hydrolysis of urea only.
$(iii)$ Highly active under optimum temperature: The rate of the enzyme reaction is maximum at a definite temperature called the optimum temperature,typically $298-310 \ K$.
$(iv)$ Highly active under optimum $pH$: The rate of an enzyme-catalysed reaction is maximum at a particular $pH$ value,generally between $pH$ $5-7$.
$(v)$ Increasing activity in presence of activators and co-enzymes: The enzymatic activity is increased in the presence of co-enzymes,which are small non-protein molecules (often vitamins) that enhance catalytic activity.
$(vi)$ Influence of inhibitors and poisons: Inhibitors or poisons interact with the active functional groups on the enzyme surface,reducing or destroying their catalytic activity.