What do enzymes do?

What Are Enzymes?
Enzymes are proteins that act as catalysts in biochemical reactions, and they are responsible for the most important chemical processes that occur in living cells. Enzymes are essential for energy production, cellular metabolism, and the breakdown of nutrients and other molecules in the body. Enzymes are highly specific and are able to accelerate reactions by a factor of millions.

Enzymes Have Many Different Functions
Enzymes are responsible for a variety of essential functions including:

• Breaking down food into more usable forms of energy
• Building complex molecules from simpler forms
• Regulating energy production in cells
• Breaking down toxic substances
• Helping defend the body from infection
• Replicating DNA

Enzymes Can Be Affected By Disease
Enzymes can be affected by disease, leading to impaired metabolism and other serious health conditions. For example, a deficiency in a particular enzyme can result in the accumulation of toxic substances in the body, leading to cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, or cystic fibrosis. Enzyme deficiencies can also affect growth, development, and immunity. Additionally, a number of diseases can be caused by mutations in the genes that code for enzymes. For example, hereditary fructose intolerance is caused by a mutation in the enzyme that breaks down the sugar fructose.

In Conclusion
Enzymes are essential proteins that act as catalysts in biochemical reactions, speeding up chemical processes and allowing them to occur more efficiently. They are necessary for proper energy production, metabolism, and the breakdown of molecules in the body. Enzyme deficiencies can lead to serious health issues and can even cause certain diseases. It is important to recognize the importance of enzymes in the body and ensure that they are properly functioning.