Why are enzymes important and how do they help in metabolism?
Enzymes are proteins or protein-based molecules. They are used in a multitude of biological besides metabolism. With proteins function is always a result of shape and make-up of the protein. Enzymes are proteins that are specific to a task. So they are able to bind to another molecule and catalyse (speed up) a reaction. They do this in a number of ways. For example, by binding to a molecule that might alter it slightly so that it becomes easier to break down. Or they might bind to two different molecules in a reaction which brings them physically closer to each other allowing them to react. But enzymes are used for pretty much everything in the body, not just metabolism. There are thousands of enzymes!
