Difference b/w inorganic catalyst & enzyme?
Enzymes are made up of protein(exception also) but inorganic catalyst are not .....
Difference b/w inorganic catalyst & enzyme?
Introduction
Catalysts are substances that accelerate chemical reactions without being consumed in the process. They can be broadly classified into inorganic catalysts and enzymes, each having distinct characteristics and functions.
Inorganic Catalysts
- Nature: Inorganic catalysts are typically metal ions or metal complexes. Common examples include platinum, palladium, and iron.
- Mechanism: They facilitate reactions by providing an alternative reaction pathway with a lower activation energy.
- Temperature and pH Sensitivity: Generally, inorganic catalysts are less sensitive to changes in temperature and pH; they can function under extreme conditions.
- Applications: Widely used in industrial processes like Haber-Bosch process for ammonia synthesis and catalytic converters in automobiles.
Enzymes
- Nature: Enzymes are biological catalysts made of proteins (or RNA in some cases). They are highly specific to substrates.
- Mechanism: Enzymes lower activation energy by stabilizing the transition state and often involve complex interactions with substrates.
- Temperature and pH Sensitivity: Enzymes are sensitive to temperature and pH; they function optimally within specific ranges and can denature if conditions are unfavorable.
- Applications: Essential in biological processes, including digestion, metabolism, and DNA replication. They are also used in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.
Key Differences
- Composition: Inorganic catalysts are non-biological, while enzymes are biological proteins.
- Specificity: Enzymes exhibit high specificity for their substrates, whereas inorganic catalysts can facilitate a range of reactions.
- Regulation: Enzyme activity can be regulated by inhibitors and activators, while inorganic catalysts do not have such regulatory mechanisms.
In summary, while both inorganic catalysts and enzymes serve the same fundamental purpose of accelerating reactions, they do so through different mechanisms, compositions, and conditions, leading to varied applications in science and industry.
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