Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
Why are enzymes important to organisms in the context of catalysis?
A
They increase the activation energy required for reactions.
B
They decrease the overall energy change of the reaction.
C
They are consumed in the reactions they catalyze.
D
They provide an alternative reaction pathway with a 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.
Recognize 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.
Identify the correct statement: Enzymes provide an alternative reaction pathway with a lower activation energy, which allows reactions to proceed more quickly and efficiently.
Clarify misconceptions: Enzymes do not increase the activation energy, nor do they change the overall energy change of the reaction. They also are not consumed in the reactions they catalyze.
Conclude with the importance of enzymes: By lowering the activation energy, enzymes enable vital biochemical reactions to occur at rates necessary for life processes.