Many enzymatic reactions efficiently involve protonation sta

Many enzymatic reactions efficiently involve protonation state of intermediates not predicted to be stable at PH 7, based on PKa\'s of the substances in water. How is this possible?

Solution

Enzymes are peptide molecules that catalyse biochemical reactions in our body, hence they are called as biological catalysts.

Now the substrates that are unable to cross the activation energy barrier, are catalysed by the enzyme . Substrates bind to the active site of the enzyme, and make an unstable enzyme substrate complex. This intermediate being unstable, breaks down immidiately to form products. So these intermediates, though not stable at ph of 7 are formed by enzymes, such that their break down is easy and feasible and takes place at a lower energy cost.