What can be said about substrates in enzymatic reactions?

In enzymatic reactions, substrates are the molecules that enzymes act upon to convert into products. When an enzyme interacts with its substrate, it facilitates a chemical reaction, resulting in the formation of new substances, known as products. This process is essential for various biological functions, as enzymes lower the activation energy required for reactions, allowing them to occur at a more efficient rate necessary for life.

Substrates are not limited to being only gases; they can be solids, liquids, or gases, depending on the specific reaction. Additionally, substrates bind to enzymes temporarily; once the reaction occurs, the products are released, and the enzyme can catalyze subsequent reactions without being permanently altered. Lastly, substrates do not typically require external energy to interact with enzymes in the way that the options suggest. Instead, the reaction often releases energy or uses energy derived from the substrate itself during the enzymatic process. This is why the assertion regarding substrates being converted into products by the enzyme is the most accurate statement.