* Enzymes are catalysts: They speed up reactions but are not consumed in the process. They are present at the start and end of the reaction, so they don't appear in the net equation.
* Chemical equations represent the overall change: They show the reactants and products, but not the intermediates or mechanisms involved.
Here's how enzymes are represented:
1. Above the arrow: The enzyme name or abbreviation is often written above the arrow in the chemical equation.
* Example: Sucrose + H₂O → Glucose + Fructose (Invertase)
2. Separate line: Sometimes, the enzyme is shown on a separate line below the equation.
* Example:
Sucrose + H₂O → Glucose + Fructose
Invertase
3. Bracketed: The enzyme might be enclosed in brackets, especially in complex reactions.
* Example: [Enzyme] + Substrate → Product
Important Note: While the enzyme itself isn't part of the chemical equation, its presence is crucial to understanding the reaction.
