What role do enzymes play in biological reactions?

Enzymes are biological catalysts that significantly enhance the rate of chemical reactions within the body without being consumed in the process. They accomplish this by lowering the activation energy needed for the reaction to occur, which allows the substrate molecules to transform into products more efficiently. This increased reaction rate is vital for maintaining the metabolic processes that sustain life since many biological reactions would occur too slowly at normal physiological temperatures to support cellular function.

For example, in processes like digestion, enzymes break down complex molecules into simpler ones much faster than would occur spontaneously. The ability of enzymes to accelerate reactions is critical in various biological processes, including metabolism, DNA replication, and energy production. Thus, stating that enzymes speed up reactions accurately reflects their essential role in facilitating biological activity.