Final answer:
Enzymes are specialized proteins that increase the speed of chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy needed, without being permanently altered. Cells regulate enzyme activity through inhibitors and activators. Each enzyme is highly specific to the substrates it binds, ensuring precise control over metabolic processes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Enzymes are specialized proteins that increase the speed of chemical reactions. They function as biological catalysts, meaning they accelerate reactions without themselves being permanently altered in the process. Enzymes achieve this by lowering the activation energy required for a reaction to commence, which significantly speeds up the rate at which reactions occur. Cells can regulate enzymes to respond to metabolic needs, using factors that can either inhibit or activate them, affecting the rate of catalysis and, consequently, the entire metabolic pathway.
Enzymes are usually made up of amino acids and are highly specific; they only catalyze certain reactions based on the substrate they bind to. This specificity is crucial because it ensures that each enzyme accelerates the correct chemical reaction, thereby maintaining efficient cellular metabolism. Without enzymes, many biochemical reactions would not occur at a perceptible rate, affecting the viability of the organism.