Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in living organisms. They are essential for the breakdown and release of stored energy in plants and animals.
In plants, enzymes are involved in the process of photosynthesis, which converts light energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose. This glucose is then used as food by the plant, or it can be stored as starch for later use.
In animals, enzymes are involved in the digestion of food. The enzymes break down the complex molecules in food into simpler molecules that can be absorbed and used by the body.
Enzymes are also involved in the process of cellular respiration, which is how cells generate energy. Cellular respiration involves the breakdown of glucose to release energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is the universal energy currency of cells.