What is the Difference Between Catalyst and Enzyme?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between a catalyst and an enzyme lies in their nature and properties. Here is a comparison of the two:
- Nature: Enzymes are organic biocatalysts, made up of high molecular weight globular proteins, while catalysts can be either inorganic or organic compounds.
- Reaction Rates: Enzyme reaction rates are typically several times faster than those of non-enzymatic catalysts.
- Specificity: Enzymes are highly specific, producing large amounts of good residues, while catalysts are not specific and may produce residues with errors.
- Conditions: Enzymes function under mild conditions, such as physiological pH and temperature, while catalysts may require high temperatures and pressures.
- C-C and C-H Bonds: Enzymes have C-C and C-H bonds, while catalysts do not.
- Types: There are two types of enzymes - activation enzymes and inhibitory enzymes. Catalysts can be classified into two types - positive and negative catalysts.
Examples of enzymes include lipase and amylase, while an example of a catalyst is vanadium oxide. Both catalysts and enzymes increase the rate of chemical reactions without being consumed in the reactions themselves.
Comparative Table: Catalyst vs Enzyme
Here is a table comparing the differences between catalysts and enzymes:
| Catalyst | Enzyme |
|---|---|
| High temp, pressure | Mild conditions, physiological pH and temperature |
| Inorganic catalyst | Organic catalyst or bio catalyst |
| Typically slower reaction rates | Several times faster reaction rates |
| Not specific, may produce residues with errors | Highly specific, producing large amounts of good residues |
| C-C and C-H bonds are absent | C-C and C-H bonds are present |
| Examples include vanadium oxide | Examples include amylase and lipase |
Both catalysts and enzymes lower the activation energy of a reaction, thereby increasing its rate. However, catalysts can be either inorganic compounds or transitional elements, while enzymes are organic, protein-based catalysts specifically found in biological systems. Additionally, enzymes are highly specific in their action, whereas catalysts are not.
- Enzyme vs Hormone
- Catalyst vs Inhibitor
- Enzyme vs Coenzyme
- Enzyme vs Protein
- Catalyst vs Reagent
- Anabolic vs Catabolic Enzymes
- Organic vs Inorganic Catalysts
- Catalytic vs Non Catalytic Reaction
- Enzyme Activator vs Enzyme Inhibitor
- Enzyme Inhibitor vs Enzyme Inducer
- Enzyme Activity vs Specific Activity
- Isomerase vs Mutase Enzyme
- Exoenzyme vs Endoenzyme
- Catalase vs Peroxidase
- Homogeneous vs Heterogeneous Catalyst
- Enzymatic vs Nonenzymatic Reaction
- Catalyst vs Intermediate
- Photocatalysis vs Electrocatalysis
- Acid Hydrolysis vs Enzymatic Hydrolysis