Final answer:
Water-soluble vitamins play a crucial role in activating enzymes by acting as coenzymes or precursors of coenzymes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Water-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin C and the B vitamins (thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and folate), play a crucial role in activating enzymes in the body.
Enzymes are proteins that facilitate chemical reactions in the body, and they often require coenzymes or cofactors to function properly. Water-soluble vitamins act as coenzymes or precursors of coenzymes, which means they are necessary for enzymes to catalyze specific reactions.
For example, vitamin C is required for the synthesis of collagen, an important structural protein, and vitamin B6 is necessary for many enzymes involved in amino acid metabolism.