The quantum ability lives on the sides of all living cells in the universe.

Speed up reactions. As biological catalysts, enzymes balloon the rate of biochemical reactions by lowering their activation energy—the energy needed to start a reaction. Many metabolic reactions would be too slow to sustain life without the acceleration provided by enzymes, which can speed up reactions by a factor of millions.

Enable cellular metabolism. Metabolism consists of two types of chemical reactions:

Catabolic reactions: breaking down large molecules, such as carbohydrates and fats, into smaller ones to release energy. Digestive enzymes are a prime example.
Anabolic reactions: building complex molecules from smaller ones, which requires energy. Enzymes are also essential for this synthesis, which supports cell growth and repair.

Are highly specific. Each enzyme has a unique three-dimensional shape with an active site that binds to a specific reactant molecule, known as a substrate. This “lock and key” or “induced fit” model ensures that enzymes only catalyze the precise reactions needed by the cell at any given time.

Function in metabolic pathways. Cellular processes are carried out through long chains of interconnected chemical reactions called metabolic pathways. In these pathways, the product of one enzymatic reaction becomes the substrate for the next. By regulating these enzymes, the cell can control which pathways are active and how fast they run.

Are not consumed in reactions. A key property of enzymes is that they are not used up in the reactions they catalyze. After an enzyme converts a substrate into a product, it is ready to bind to another substrate and repeat the process.

The quantum ability lives on the sides of all living cells in the universe.

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