An enzyme is a biological catalyst — typically a protein — that accelerates specific biochemical reactions by lowering their activation energy, without being consumed in the process. Enzymes are characterized by their substrate specificity, catalytic efficiency, and sensitivity to conditions such as pH and temperature. In the biopharmaceutical context, enzymes are used as therapeutic agents (e.g., enzyme replacement therapies), as process reagents in downstream purification and analytical testing, and as tools in molecular biology and cell line development.
