What is the Difference Between Enzyme and Protein?

Enzymes and proteins are closely related but have distinct differences. Here are the main differences between enzymes and proteins:

1. Function: Enzymes are a specific type of protein that performs a very specific function, regulating biochemical reactions in living things. In contrast, proteins can have multiple functions, including enzyme catalysis, defense, transport, storage, and support.
2. Structure: Enzymes are made up of amino acids and are globular proteins. They have only tertiary and quaternary structures of proteins. Proteins, on the other hand, can exist in primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures.
3. Catalytic Activity: Enzymes are biological catalysts that increase the rate of biochemical reactions. Proteins can be involved in various functions, but not all proteins possess catalytic activity.
4. Substrate Specificity: Enzymes are highly substrate-specific, binding to only certain substrates for specific reactions. Proteins can be digested or broken down by enzymes.
5. Classification: Enzymes are classified based on their functions, while proteins are classified based on their structure or chemical structure.

In summary, enzymes are a unique type of protein with catalytic activity and substrate specificity, while proteins can have various functions and structures. All enzymes are proteins, but not all proteins are enzymes.

Comparative Table: Enzyme vs Protein

Here is a table comparing the differences between enzymes and proteins:

Please note that some of the information in the table is derived from the search results.