Enzyme function and kinetics
Introduction to Enzymes: Definition and Importance in Biochemical Processes
Enzymes are biological catalysts that play a crucial role in facilitating and regulating biochemical reactions within living organisms. These highly specialized proteins are essential for sustaining life, as they accelerate chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy required, thus enabling metabolic processes to occur at a rate compatible with life. Without enzymes, many biochemical reactions would be too slow to sustain cellular functions, rendering life as we know it impossible.