Which of the following statements accurately describes enzymes?

Enzymes are biological catalysts that play a crucial role in facilitating biochemical reactions in living organisms. The correct statement highlights two key characteristics of enzymes: their specificity for substrates and their ability to lower the activation energy of reactions.

Enzyme specificity means that each enzyme is tailored to bind to a particular substrate or group of substrates, allowing it to catalyze specific reactions. This selectivity is often determined by the enzyme's unique structure, which creates an active site shaped to fit the substrate(s) it acts upon. This precise interaction not only ensures efficiency in biochemical processes but also helps regulate metabolic pathways by controlling which reactions occur in a cell.

The lowering of activation energy is another essential function of enzymes. Activation energy is the energy required to initiate a chemical reaction. By lowering the activation energy barrier, enzymes allow reactions to proceed more quickly and at lower temperatures than would be feasible without them. This is vital for maintaining the rates of metabolic processes necessary for life.

In contrast, the other statements contain inaccuracies about enzyme behavior. For example, enzymes are not consumed in the reactions they catalyze; they remain unchanged and can continue to facilitate multiple reactions. Additionally, while enzymes can operate effectively within a certain temperature range, extreme temperatures can lead to denaturation, which