Biological catalysts in living organisms are known as

Biological catalysts in living organisms are known as enzymes. These substances are essential for life processes because they significantly accelerate the rate of specific chemical reactions within cells by lowering the activation energy required for the reaction to occur [t1][t2][t9]. While most enzymes are proteins, some RNA molecules (ribozymes) also exhibit catalytic activity [t1][t2]. Unlike hormones, which act as chemical messengers to initiate reactions and are often consumed, enzymes function as catalysts that are not destroyed or permanently altered during the reaction, allowing them to be used repeatedly [t1][t3][t7]. Enzymes are highly specific, meaning a particular enzyme typically catalyzes only one specific biochemical reaction [c2][t1]. Without these biocatalysts, essential processes like digestion and metabolism would occur too slowly to sustain life [c1][t6].

Sources

1. [1] https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Enzyme
2. [2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK9921/
3. [3] Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 13: Our Environment > Activity 13.5 > p. 214
4. [4] Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: Life Processes > How do living things get their food? > p. 81