Enzymes are protein catalysts that increase the rate of reactions without being changed. They are typically proteins, heat labile, water soluble, and contain nitrogen. Enzymes consist of an apoenzyme protein component and may also contain non-protein cofactors, coenzymes, prosthetic groups, or metal ions. Enzymes act by lowering the activation energy of reactions, either by properly orienting substrates, or utilizing mechanisms like acid/base catalysis, strain induction, or covalent bonding to substrates. This allows enzymes to greatly accelerate chemical reactions by stabilizing high-energy transition states.