Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
Why are enzymes considered crucial in catalytic processes within biological systems?
A
Enzymes are consumed during the reaction and need constant replenishment.
B
Enzymes decrease the overall energy released by the reaction.
C
Enzymes increase the activation energy required for reactions.
D
Enzymes provide an alternative reaction pathway with lower activation energy.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the role of enzymes: Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in living organisms without being consumed in the process.
Clarify the concept of activation energy: Activation energy is the minimum energy required for a chemical reaction to occur. Enzymes work by lowering this energy barrier.
Explore how enzymes function: Enzymes provide an alternative reaction pathway with a lower activation energy, which allows the reaction to proceed more quickly and efficiently.
Differentiate between energy changes: Enzymes do not change the overall energy released or absorbed by the reaction; they only affect the rate by lowering the activation energy.
Conclude the importance of enzymes: By lowering the activation energy, enzymes make it possible for biological reactions to occur at the temperatures and conditions present in living organisms, which is crucial for sustaining life.