Question

In acting as a catalyst, what does bromelain do to the chemical reaction of hydrolysis of proteins?

a. Speeds up the reaction by increasing the activation energy.
b. Speeds up the reaction by reducing the activation energy.
c. Slows down the reaction by increasing the activation energy.
d. Slows down the reaction by reducing the activation energy.

Answer 1

Bromelain speeds up the hydrolysis of proteins by reducing the activation energy needed for the reaction.

Step-by-step explanation:

Bromelain, an enzyme found in pineapple, acts as a catalyst in the hydrolysis of proteins. In a chemical reaction, bromelain speeds up the hydrolysis of proteins by reducing the activation energy needed for the reaction to occur. By binding to the reactant molecules and providing an alternate route for the reaction, bromelain allows the bond-breaking and bond-forming processes to happen more readily.