enzymes

[canan5000]

The question that I have pondered for a very long time and is fascinating and frustrating at the same time is "Are enzymes alive?"

The reason that this has perplexed me is that enzymes a.k.a proteins are fundamentally a long chain of molecules folded together that catalyze reactions, but unlike other organic molecules they can replicate and repair as needed, and I have not seen any other organic molecule no matter how complex do this. Example you cannot take a vial of methane, and urea an leave it to its own devices and expect it replicate or propagate any biological function, but you can have a vial of enzyme throw in its correct substrate and watch the magic. At what point does a molecule stop having a function and start to have purpose.

[mith]

It doesn't reproduce itself and it doesn't consume