What is the difference between Bacteria and Enzymes?
Bacteria are not enzymes. Like all living cells, bacteria produce and use enzymes to break down or assimilate (put together) chemical compounds necessary for cell survival. Some scientists refer to bacteria as “sacks of enzymes.” Enzymes are termed “biological catalysts” because they are chemicals (mainly protein) that bind with another chemical (referred to as the substrate) that is then broken down. Because of their enzymes, bacterial organisms vary in their abilities to withstand environmental conditions and break down compounds. Some of these organisms can withstand temperatures of 212 degrees Fahrenheit or minus 200 F. Some live in extremely acidic or alkaline conditions, and some are able to use oil (hydrocarbons) or lipids (fat) for food. These survival characteristics are governed by the bacteria’s ability to make and use various enzymes. Factors that are important for enzyme action alone, or for bacterial action via enzymes, are temperature, pH (degree of acidity or alkalinity
