What is enzyme catalysis?

Enzyme catalysis refers to the ability of enzymes to increase the rate of biochemical reactions by lowering the activation energy required for those reactions to occur. This process is essential in biological systems because it allows reactions to proceed at a much faster rate than they would without the presence of an enzyme. By facilitating the transition state between reactants and products, enzymes make it easier for the chemical reactions necessary for life to take place efficiently.

The role of enzymes is crucial in various metabolic pathways, as they help regulate biological processes by providing a specific active site that binds to substrates. This binding stabilizes the transition state and reduces the energy barrier for the reaction, allowing substrates to be converted to products more readily.

In contrast, other options refer to different biological processes: DNA replication involves copying genetic material, the breakdown of enzymes during digestion pertains to the degradation of proteins, and the synthesis of enzymes from amino acids involves transcription and translation processes rather than catalysis.