Catalase

Catalase is a heme-iron-containing enzyme that catalyzes the reaction below:

> 2H 2O 2 <=> 2H 2O + O 2

Catalase has an extremely high turnover rate (>40,000 molecules per second) and acts to protect against oxidative damage by the reactive oxygen species, H 2O 2.

See also: Antioxidants, Reactive Oxygen, Oxygen Metabolism and Human Disease, Catalase, Glutathione Peroxidase, Superoxide Dismutase