How do enzymes catalyze reactions?

Enzymes speed up reactions by lowering the energy of activation, or amount of energy needed to begin a reaction. This way, the reaction can proceed more quickly.

Cofactors and coenzymes are both groups of molecules required by certain enzymes to carry out their functions. They bind to the active site of the enzyme. Coenzymes are organic molecules, while cofactors are inorganic substances.

You do not need to know specific cofactors or coenzymes.