Which substances are responsible for accelerating chemical reactions in cells?

• A. Buffers
• B. Enzymes
• C. Substrates
• D. Inhibitors

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the role of enzymes in biological systems: Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in cells by lowering the activation energy required for the reaction to occur.
2. Differentiate between enzymes and other substances: Buffers maintain pH levels, substrates are the reactants in enzyme-catalyzed reactions, and inhibitors slow down or stop reactions. Enzymes, on the other hand, accelerate reactions.
3. Recognize the specificity of enzymes: Enzymes are highly specific to their substrates, meaning each enzyme only catalyzes a specific reaction or set of reactions.
4. Consider the effect of enzymes on reaction rates: Enzymes increase the rate of chemical reactions without being consumed in the process, allowing them to be used repeatedly.
5. Conclude that enzymes are the substances responsible for accelerating chemical reactions in cells, distinguishing them from buffers, substrates, and inhibitors.