How do enzymes function within a cell to catalyze biochemical reactions?

Enzymes are biological catalysts, typically proteins, that speed up the rate of biochemical reactions within a cell without being consumed in the process. They function by lowering the activation energy required for a reaction to occur. Enzymes achieve this by binding specifically to their substrate(s) at an active site, forming an enzyme-substrate complex. This binding can strain bonds, orient reactants favorably, or provide a temporary microenvironment, facilitating the conversion of substrates into products.