Do enzymes catalyze a reaction by raising the activation energy?

Do enzymes catalyze a reaction by raising the activation energy?

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Only in certain conditions
• D. Only for some enzymes

Answer: (B)

Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy required for the reaction to proceed. By providing an alternative pathway for the reaction, enzymes enable substrates to transition to products more easily and quickly. This lowering of the activation energy means that more substrate molecules have sufficient energy to react at a given temperature, which increases the rate of the reaction. The statement that enzymes raise the activation energy is incorrect, as it contradicts the fundamental role of enzymes in facilitating biochemical reactions. Instead, by lowering the activation energy, enzymes allow reactions to occur more efficiently and at lower energy costs, which is crucial for biological processes that need to occur under the mild conditions found in living organisms.

Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy required for the reaction to proceed. By providing an alternative pathway for the reaction, enzymes enable substrates to transition to products more easily and quickly. This lowering of the activation energy means that more substrate molecules have sufficient energy to react at a given temperature, which increases the rate of the reaction.

The statement that enzymes raise the activation energy is incorrect, as it contradicts the fundamental role of enzymes in facilitating biochemical reactions. Instead, by lowering the activation energy, enzymes allow reactions to occur more efficiently and at lower energy costs, which is crucial for biological processes that need to occur under the mild conditions found in living organisms.