Enzymatic reaction networks (ERNs) are crucial for life's complexity and have been studied for their potential in creating synthetic systems with emergent properties. This review explores the structural principles, complex nonlinear behaviors, and control mechanisms of ERNs, highlighting their applications in dynamic materials, enzyme-powered systems, and synthetic cells. ERNs exhibit intricate features like feedback loops, bistability, and ultrasensitivity, which can be harnessed to design life-like systems. The review discusses various network motifs, enzyme kinetics, and the influence of external stimuli such as light, pH, and heat on ERN dynamics. It also covers the design of "life-like" systems, including dynamic materials, enzyme-powered motile systems, and communication in compartmentalized bio-reactors. The review emphasizes the importance of understanding ERN structures and dynamics for developing synthetic cells and advanced materials. Key challenges include achieving precise control over ERN components and overcoming limitations in kinetic modeling. The review concludes with future directions in synthetic biology, focusing on bottom-up construction of synthetic cells and information processing in artificial systems.Enzymatic reaction networks (ERNs) are crucial for life's complexity and have been studied for their potential in creating synthetic systems with emergent properties. This review explores the structural principles, complex nonlinear behaviors, and control mechanisms of ERNs, highlighting their applications in dynamic materials, enzyme-powered systems, and synthetic cells. ERNs exhibit intricate features like feedback loops, bistability, and ultrasensitivity, which can be harnessed to design life-like systems. The review discusses various network motifs, enzyme kinetics, and the influence of external stimuli such as light, pH, and heat on ERN dynamics. It also covers the design of "life-like" systems, including dynamic materials, enzyme-powered motile systems, and communication in compartmentalized bio-reactors. The review emphasizes the importance of understanding ERN structures and dynamics for developing synthetic cells and advanced materials. Key challenges include achieving precise control over ERN components and overcoming limitations in kinetic modeling. The review concludes with future directions in synthetic biology, focusing on bottom-up construction of synthetic cells and information processing in artificial systems.