Enzymes are best described as:

Prepare for Rosdahl’s Basic Nursing Test. Utilize flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations. Get exam-ready!

Enzymes are best described as biologic catalysts made of proteins because they facilitate and accelerate chemical reactions within the body without being consumed in the process. As protein molecules, enzymes have specific structures that allow them to bind to substrates and lower the activation energy needed for reactions to occur. This catalytic property is essential for various biological processes, such as digestion, metabolism, and DNA replication.

The other options do not accurately capture the essence of what enzymes are. Hormones, while they can be involved in signaling processes, are not enzymes and serve different functions in the body. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, but they themselves are not enzymes; they may contribute to enzyme structure, but the complete enzyme is a larger protein molecule. Long chains of carbohydrates describe polysaccharides or starches, which have functions distinct from those of enzymes. Therefore, the definition of enzymes as biologic catalysts made of proteins stands out as the most accurate and comprehensive understanding of their role in biological systems.

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