Mutases are enzymes that facilitate the rearrangement of molecular structures within a compound. They play a crucial role in various biochemical processes by converting one isomer into another, which can significantly affect the function and reactivity of the molecules involved. These enzymes are essential in metabolic pathways, where they help in the synthesis and breakdown of biomolecules. For example, in the case of carbohydrates, mutases can convert glucose-1-phosphate to glucose-6-phosphate, a key step in energy production. Understanding mutases is important for fields like biochemistry and pharmacology, as they can influence drug design and metabolic engineering.