Question

Activation energy is similar to the "push" needed to start rolling a stalled car down a hill. How do enzymes fit into this analogy?

Answer 1

Enzymes lower the activation energy required for chemical reactions by binding to reactant molecules and facilitating the bond-breaking and bond-forming processes.

Step-by-step explanation:

Enzymes play a crucial role in lowering the activation energy needed for chemical reactions to occur in cells. In the analogy of activation energy being the 'push' needed to start rolling a stalled car down a hill, enzymes can be thought of as the vehicle that provides the initial momentum and makes it easier for the reaction to proceed.

Enzymes accomplish this by binding to reactant molecules, bringing them together in the right orientation, and providing a microenvironment that facilitates the bond-breaking and bond-forming processes.