Enzymes are biological catalyst which speed up reactions.
Enzymes are large proteins and each has a unique shape. The shape has to fit into other molecules. This area is called the 'active site'.
If the temperature gets too high the enzymes shape will change and will no longer work. This means that the enzyme has denatured or is destroyed. It has not died.
Enzymes can catalyse the build up of small molecules into large molecules or the break down of large molecules into small molecules.
Enzymes lower the amount of energy necessary for a reaction to take place - the 'activation' energy.
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