Final answer:
Accessory factors refer to vitamins and minerals, which function as coenzymes and cofactors, and are crucial for enzyme function in metabolic processes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The substances once referred to as accessory factors are vitamins and minerals. These accessory factors were identified as crucial elements that influenced growth and nutrition. In particular, vitamins and minerals serve as coenzymes and cofactors, respectively, which are essential for the proper functioning of enzymes in many metabolic reactions. Coenzymes assist enzymes in catalyzing their specific chemical reactions by converting substrates into end-products. Both coenzymes and cofactors are essential not only for energy metabolism but also for various bodily functions such as blood renewal.
Minerals aid in structure and regulation, while vitamins often act as precursors to coenzymes, directly facilitating enzyme activity. Without an adequate dietary intake of these essential nutrients, the health of the organism can be significantly impaired.