1. Catalytic Activity: Enzymes act as catalysts, meaning they speed up chemical reactions without being consumed in the process. They lower the activation energy required for a reaction to occur, making it happen faster.

2. Specificity: Enzymes are highly specific, meaning they typically catalyze only one type of reaction or a very small range of reactions. This specificity is due to their unique three-dimensional structure, which allows them to bind to specific substrates (the molecules they act upon).

3. Regulation: Enzymes are subject to various forms of regulation, which allows cells to control their activity as needed. This regulation can be influenced by factors like temperature, pH, substrate concentration, and the presence of inhibitors or activators.