Final answer:
Enzyme-catalyzed reactions are part of metabolic pathways where each reaction is facilitated by an enzyme, with a product of one reaction serving as the substrate for the next, thereby connecting the reactions in a series. The specificity of enzyme active sites ensures the proper substrate binding for the transformation of molecules during metabolic processes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject in question pertains to enzyme-catalyzed reactions which are part of metabolic pathways within biological systems. In these systems, enzymes function as biological catalysts that accelerate chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy required. To initiate a reaction, substrates - the reactants in enzymatic reactions - bind to the enzyme's active site forming an enzyme-substrate (ES) complex. The enzyme's specificity ensures that only substrates with a specific shape and electrical charge can bind to the matching active site. These reactions are typically connected in a series, where one reaction's product becomes the substrate for the subsequent reaction. This connection of reactions allows for the efficient transformation of compounds through various metabolic pathways, including both anabolic and catabolic processes.
Enzymes are not only vital for catalyzing various biological reactions but they also perform these functions with precision, such as in stereoselective reactions where the enzyme only produces specific enantiomers of a product. An example is the hydration of fumarate to (S)-malate by the enzyme fumarase. This precision is crucial for the proper functioning of biological systems.