Final answer:
Enzymes act as catalysts by binding to substrates and lowering the activation energy of a reaction, resulting in faster and more efficient reactions. Inhibitors, on the other hand, interfere with enzyme function and can slow down or stop chemical reactions.
Step-by-step explanation:
An enzyme acts as a catalyst for a chemical reaction, meaning it speeds up the reaction without being consumed in the process. The enzyme binds to the substrate, creating an enzyme-substrate complex that lowers the activation energy of the reaction. This allows the reaction to occur more rapidly and efficiently. Inhibitors, on the other hand, interfere with the function of enzymes, slowing down or stopping the chemical reactions they catalyze.