Final answer:
Enzymes play two crucial roles in cells: catalysis and regulation. They act as biological catalysts, speeding up reactions and ensuring they occur at the right time and rate.
Step-by-step explanation:
Enzymes play two essential roles in cells: catalysis and regulation.
- Catalysis: Enzymes act as biological catalysts, increasing the rate of chemical reactions in cells. They lower the activation energy required for a reaction to occur, allowing it to happen more efficiently. For example, the enzyme amylase catalyzes the breakdown of starch into glucose.
- Regulation: Enzymes also help regulate cellular processes by controlling the timing and rate of reactions. They can be activated or inhibited in response to various factors like temperature, pH, or the concentration of substrates or products. This regulation ensures that reactions occur when needed and are not wasted. An example is the enzyme DNA polymerase, which is involved in DNA replication.
Learn more about Enzyme roles in cells