How do enzymes function in catalyzing metabolic reactions?

Enzymes function by lowering the activation energy needed for metabolic reactions to occur.

Enzymes are proteins that act as biological catalysts, speeding up chemical reactions in the body. They do this by lowering the activation energy needed for the reaction to occur, making it easier for the reactants to come together and form the products. Enzymes are highly specific, meaning that each enzyme is designed to catalyze a specific reaction. This specificity is due to the unique shape of the enzyme's active site, which only fits with a specific substrate molecule.

Enzymes work by binding to the substrate molecule at their active site, forming an enzyme-substrate complex. This complex then undergoes a series of chemical reactions, resulting in the formation of the product. Once the reaction is complete, the product is released from the enzyme, which can then go on to catalyze another reaction.

Enzymes are essential for metabolic reactions to occur in the body, as they allow these reactions to occur at a much faster rate than would be possible without them. They are also highly regulated, with their activity being controlled by a range of factors such as temperature, pH, and the presence of inhibitors or activators. Without enzymes, many of the chemical reactions that are necessary for life would occur too slowly to sustain life.