As catalysts, enzymes speed up the rate of chemical reactions without undergoing any permanent change. They lower the activation energy required for a reaction to occur, facilitating the conversion of reactants into products. In other words, enzymes increase the likelihood of the reaction happening by providing an alternative pathway with a lower energy barrier. They achieve this by binding to specific substrates, which are the molecules undergoing the reaction, and modifying their chemical bonds or orientation to enhance the reaction rate. Overall, enzymes enable chemical reactions to occur more rapidly and efficiently, enabling various vital biological processes in living organisms.
