Enzymes are macromolecular biological catalysts that accelerate chemical reactions and allow metabolic processes to occur fast enough to sustain life. They are mostly proteins that are synthesized by ribosomes attached to the endoplasmic reticulum according to the codes in DNA. Enzymes can be intracellular, retained in the cell and involved in reactions in the cytoplasm, nucleus, chloroplasts and mitochondria. Or they can be extracellular, produced in the cell and secreted to function outside the cell, like digestive enzymes from the pancreas. Enzymes help speed up reactions without affecting products, are highly specific, function with tiny amounts, and are sensitive to changes in temperature, pH and substrate concentration.