Biological catalysts, also known as enzymes, are proteins that are responsible for speeding up chemical reactions within living organisms. These proteins are vital to the functioning of biological systems as they help to regulate and control the chemical reactions that take place within cells.

Functions of Biological Catalysts
Biological catalysts perform a wide range of functions within living organisms, including:
- Breaking down food into smaller molecules that can be absorbed by the body
- Building complex molecules such as proteins and DNA
- Regulating the metabolism of cells
- Removing waste products from the body
- Fighting off infections by breaking down bacteria and viruses

How do Biological Catalysts Work?
Biological catalysts work by lowering the activation energy required for a chemical reaction to occur. The activation energy is the amount of energy that is needed to start a chemical reaction. By lowering the activation energy, enzymes make it easier for reactions to occur, which means they can happen more quickly.

Specificity of Biological Catalysts
Each biological catalyst is specific to a particular reaction or group of reactions. This specificity is due to the unique shape of the enzyme, which allows it to interact with specific molecules in a way that promotes a chemical reaction.

Factors Affecting Biological Catalysts
Several factors can affect the activity of biological catalysts, including:
- Temperature: Enzymes work best at a specific temperature range. If the temperature is too low or too high, the enzyme may become denatured and lose its function.
- pH: Enzymes also have a specific pH range at which they work best. If the pH is too high or too low, the enzyme may become denatured.
- Concentration: The concentration of the enzyme and the substrate (the molecule that the enzyme acts upon) can affect the rate of the reaction.

Importance of Biological Catalysts
Biological catalysts are essential to the functioning of living organisms. Without enzymes, many of the chemical reactions that are necessary for life would occur too slowly or not at all. Enzymes also allow cells to carry out specific functions and respond to changes in their environment.