Which of the following macromolecules are enzymes primarily made of?

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Enzymes are primarily made of proteins, which is fundamental to their structure and function. Proteins are composed of long chains of amino acids that fold into specific three-dimensional shapes. This unique folding is crucial because the shape of an enzyme determines its active site, where substrate molecules bind. The interaction between the enzyme's active site and the substrate is highly specific, allowing enzymes to catalyze biochemical reactions efficiently.

In biological systems, enzymes act as catalysts to speed up reactions without being consumed in the process. The protein nature of enzymes allows them to perform this role effectively, as the complex folding patterns create an environment that lowers the activation energy needed for reactions to occur.

While other macromolecules like carbohydrates, nucleic acids, and lipids play important roles in biological systems, they do not fulfill the catalytic function of enzymes. Carbohydrates serve primarily as energy sources and structural components, nucleic acids are involved in genetic information storage and transfer, and lipids function mainly in energy storage and membrane structure. Therefore, proteins are the correct macromolecule associated with enzymatic activity.

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