What role do enzymes play in biological processes?

Enzymes are specialized proteins that serve as catalysts in biochemical reactions, which means they significantly speed up the reactions without being consumed or permanently altered in the process. By lowering the activation energy required for reactions, enzymes help facilitate complex biological processes necessary for life, such as digestion, metabolism, and DNA replication. This catalytic function enables organisms to carry out reactions at rates that would not be feasible without the presence of enzymes, thereby playing a critical role in maintaining cellular functions and overall homeostasis.

Other options do describe important biological functions—such as energy storage, breakdown of waste, or transportation of molecules—but they do not accurately capture the primary function of enzymes. Enzymes specifically focus on accelerating reactions rather than the other roles mentioned.