Question

Which of the following is/are means whereby a catalyst can lower the activation energy of a reaction?

1) decreasing the number of reactive molecules
2) altering the temperature within the cell to one appropriate for reactions to proceed
3) quantum tunneling
4) inefficient collisions
5) permanently binding substrates

Answer 1

A catalyst can lower the activation energy of a reaction through altering the temperature, quantum tunneling, inefficient collisions, and permanently binding substrates.

Step-by-step explanation:

A catalyst can lower the activation energy of a reaction through several means:

1. Altering the temperature within the cell to one appropriate for reactions to proceed can lower the activation energy barrier, allowing more reactant molecules to have effective collisions and increasing the reaction rate.
2. Quantum tunneling, a phenomenon in which particles can pass through potential energy barriers without having sufficient energy, can also lower the activation energy.
3. Inefficient collisions can be facilitated by a catalyst, allowing more reactant molecules to collide in a way that leads to the desired reaction.
4. Permanently binding substrates allows a catalyst to bring reactant molecules together, reducing the energy needed for them to react.