What is the function of enzymes in metabolic reactions?

Enzymes play a crucial role in metabolic reactions by providing a physical site for substrates to position, which allows for more effective interactions and faster reaction rates. This site helps to lower the activation energy required for the reaction to occur. By organizing the substrates correctly, enzymes facilitate the breaking and forming of bonds, leading to the production of products more efficiently than would occur in their absence.

While enzymes do not serve as products of reactions themselves or maintain stable pH levels, their primary function is to act as catalysts that enhance the speed of metabolic reactions by creating an optimal environment for the substrates to interact. This positioning encourages the correct orientation and proximity necessary for the reaction to take place, ultimately leading to increased reaction rates that are vital for biological processes.