Final answer:
Water-soluble vitamins, including the B vitamins and vitamin C, are essential as coenzymes in metabolic processes. They aid enzymes in catalytic reactions that convert substrates to end-products, impacting both catabolic and anabolic pathways.
Step-by-step explanation:
Water-soluble vitamins play a critical role in cellular metabolism by acting as coenzymes and cofactors. These vitamins, which include the eight B vitamins and vitamin C, are crucial for enzymes that catalyze various metabolic reactions. These reactions involve the transformation of substrates into end-products, necessary for both catabolic and anabolic pathways. Coenzymes and cofactors facilitate these biochemical processes by assisting in energy release and storage, as well as in the renewal and function of blood, which is essential for nutrient delivery and waste removal. Unlike fat-soluble vitamins, water-soluble vitamins are not stored in the body but are instead excreted in the urine when present in excess.