Final answer:
Hormones are the chemicals that assist in regulating body functions, distinguishing them from enzymes, which act as catalysts for chemical reactions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Chemicals that assist in regulating body functions are called hormones. Hormones play a crucial role in the body by acting as messengers that regulate a myriad of physiological processes, such as metabolism, growth, and reproduction. Unlike enzymes, which are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in the body without being consumed, hormones function as signaling molecules that are produced in one part of the body and affect another part.
It's important to note that while enzymes are catalysts that assist in biochemical reactions, including the breakdown of food and conversion to energy, they are not primarily involved in regulating body functions. They facilitate most chemical reactions in the body by lowering the activation energy required, thus speeding up the process. However, the regulation of these processes is typically under the control of hormones.