Enzymes are protein catalysts to speed up the rate of a chemical reaction without being used up in the process. The study of the rate at which an enzyme works is called enzyme kinetics.

Kinetic information is useful for examining possible mechanisms for the reaction and to understand both catalyzed and non-catalyzed reactions. Enzyme kinetics is a mathematical description observed by reaction rate (v) denoted through Vmax and Km (Michaelis constant Km is the concentration at which the rate of the enzyme reaction is half Vmax). Diseases and disorders often involve alterations in enzymes or enzyme activities.

For enzymes, kinetic information is useful for understanding pathological states. Diseases and disorders often involve alterations in enzymes or enzyme activities.

Understanding the way that enzymes work is critical for understanding how drugs work because many drugs function by interacting with enzymes.