Allosteric regulation is a process by which the activity of an enzyme or protein is modified by the binding of an effector molecule at a site other than the active site. This binding can change the shape of the protein, enhancing or inhibiting its function. Allosteric sites are crucial for the regulation of metabolic pathways, allowing cells to respond to changes in their environment. In many cases, allosteric regulation helps maintain homeostasis within a cell. For example, in the case of hemoglobin, the binding of oxygen to one subunit can increase the affinity of other subunits for oxygen, facilitating efficient oxygen transport in the body.