Why do we need enzymes?

The body needs enzymes as a way to remove molecules from cells, break down chemicals for energy,
and regulate molecules in the correct proportions. Enzymes are made up of three distinct types:
proteases which break down proteins, lipases which break down lipids (fats), and phosphatases which
break out phosphates.

Some organisms have enzymes that dissolve rocks or do other very difficult tasks so they can benefit
from them in their quest for survival. Though these functions may be useful in some organisms, it
seems that most plants need only the ability to defend against "plant-eating insects" - eating leaves
without destroying them like most animals would.

Enzymes are also needed for many chemical reactions in the body, such as breaking down sugars for
energy. They also control levels of important molecules like phosphorus and nitrogen with activity in
various areas of the body.

This is a long-standing problem which has required very little attention from scientists. And even less
from engineers. The problem is that plants require enzymes to regulate certain molecules within the
body; to keep steady in the presence of foreign substances. This means they must eat them, and
digest them somehow.

You might think this would be a simple process. But many types of chemicals are involved in different
parts of the plant's body, so it could be a complex process which requires enzymes in different areas
to work together. Engineers have found ways to build machines that make large changes over time,
but plants have much smaller movements over time - so it's not an easy task for engineers.