Question

Which of the following is a correct interpretation of the graphic?

The top reaction used an additional energy source.
The bottom reaction added more molecules to the products.
An inhibitor was removed to slow down the bottom reaction.
An enzyme lowered the activation energy in the bottom reaction.

Answer 1

The best interpretation of the graphic is: An enzyme lowered the activation energy in the bottom reaction.

How does enzymes lower activation energy

Enzymes are biological catalysts that accelerate chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy needed for these reactions to occur.

They achieve this by binding to specific substrates at their active sites, inducing conformational changes in the substrate molecules that lower the energy barrier required for the reaction.

Enzymes stabilize the transition state of the reaction, making it easier for the reaction to proceed, and then release the products, remaining unchanged and available for further catalysis.

Through these mechanisms, enzymes play a fundamental role in increasing the rate of biochemical reactions within living organisms.