National League for Nursing (NLN PAX) Practice Exam

What term is used to describe enzymes that are involved in biochemical reactions?

1. Catalysts

2. Reagents

3. Reactants

4. Inhibitors

The correct answer is: Catalysts

The term that describes enzymes involved in biochemical reactions is "catalysts." Enzymes function as biological catalysts, meaning they speed up the rate of chemical reactions without being consumed or permanently altered in the process. This allows enzymes to facilitate complex biochemical reactions efficiently, making them essential for various biological functions. In contrast, reagents refer to substances that are used in chemical reactions but do not specifically indicate a catalytic role. Reactants are the starting materials in a chemical reaction that undergo transformation, while inhibitors are substances that decrease or impair the activity of enzymes or other catalysts, hindering the reaction they would normally facilitate. Therefore, "catalysts" is the accurate term to describe enzymes due to their role in accelerating biochemical reactions.