Biochemical pathways are a series of chemical reactions that occur within living organisms to maintain life. These pathways involve enzymes, which are special proteins that speed up reactions, and substrates, the molecules that undergo changes. For example, in the glycolysis pathway, glucose is broken down to produce energy in the form of ATP, which cells use to perform various functions. These pathways are interconnected, meaning that the product of one reaction can serve as the substrate for another. This interconnectedness allows cells to efficiently manage resources and respond to changes in their environment. Understanding these pathways is crucial for fields like biochemistry and medicine, as they help explain how organisms function and how diseases can disrupt normal processes.