enzyme catalytic mechanisms

Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy needed for the reaction to proceed. They do this by providing a special environment where reactant molecules (substrates) can come together more easily, often by binding to specific areas called active sites. This precise interaction stabilizes the transition state—the high-energy, fleeting arrangement of molecules during a reaction—making it easier for the reaction to occur. Afterward, the enzyme releases the products and remains unchanged, ready to catalyze additional reactions. This process ensures biological reactions happen efficiently and maintain life processes.