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Explore the fascinating world of enzymes in this 59-minute Christmas Lecture from The Royal Institution's historic 1980 series. Delve into how these powerful protein molecules act as biological catalysts, controlling virtually every chemical reaction within living organisms without being changed themselves. Discover the complementary relationship between enzymes and the molecules they control, which fit together like jigsaw puzzle pieces, and learn why understanding their three-dimensional shapes is crucial to comprehending their function. Examine groundbreaking X-ray crystallography methods used at the Royal Institution to determine the first-ever enzyme structure - lysozyme from egg-white - and uncover how this bacteria-killing enzyme actually works. Follow Sir David Phillips as he demonstrates the intricate mechanisms that govern life at the molecular level, part of a six-lecture series exploring the fundamental question of which came first: DNA or proteins. This archival recording from December 2, 1980, represents part of the world's longest-running science lecture series, originally started by Michael Faraday, showcasing the complex molecular machinery that makes life possible.
