Are enzymes--the kind in everyday laundry soap---LIVING CREATURES? Enzymes are living... correct?

Answer 1

Enzymes are catalysts. Most are proteins.
http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/E/Enzymes.html
Enzymes are proteins that catalyze (i.e. accelerate) chemical reactions.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enzymes

Answer 2

Enzymes are not living creatures. They are proteins produced by living organisms. Sometimes advertising can be a bit misleading though and use the terms incorrectly. For a contrast to your soap, check out a package of yougurt. They usually contain live active cultures and are labeled as such.

Comparing enzymes to viruses is also not complete. When a virus invades a cell it reproduces itself. They kinds of enzymes present in average household products are not capable of even this type of reproduction.

For more information about what is considered living, check out this article.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Definition_of_life

Answer 3

Enzymes are proteins, not DNA. They are catalysts in biological processes, and the enzymes used in laundry soap are catalysts for reactions that break down some molecules in the dirt into small soluble fragments.

They are bits of living things but you wouldn't call them living. Just like gear boxes are bits of automobiles but once you remove one you can't ride it along the freeway.

Answer 4

Enzymes are nothing more then strands of protiens that have properties which allow specific reactions to occur faster and require less energy to achieve. In a very general way the striker of a match box is an enzyme for the match to burn...

Answer 5

Enzymes themselves are not alive. They are protein s(or sometimes RNA) that have catalytic activity. In most cases their activity is best when they are in a live cell (in vivo) but scientists have figured out ways to pruify them or make them synthetically so they can be active outside of a cell.

So lots of enzymes are synthetic and are not within a living organism and in general, enzymes are not alive

Answer 6

Enzymes are strings of code like DNA are strings of code. So are viruses. Scientists do not consider viruses so much living things as "potentially" living things--they need something that is living to even function. The same is true for enzymes.

Answer 7

yes, but I prefer specically active.