How does an enzyme affect a chemical reaction?

Enzymes are biological catalysts that play a crucial role in facilitating chemical reactions within living organisms. Here's how they affect a chemical reaction:

Step 1: Define the Problem

Identify how enzymes influence the rate and mechanism of chemical reactions.

Step 2: Break Down the Problem

1. Catalysis: Enzymes speed up chemical reactions.
2. Activation Energy: Enzymes lower the activation energy required for a reaction.
3. Specificity: Enzymes are specific to substrates.
4. Reusability: Enzymes are not consumed in the reaction.

Step 3: Apply Relevant Concepts

• Catalysis: Enzymes provide an alternative reaction pathway with a lower activation energy.
• Activation Energy: By lowering the activation energy, enzymes increase the rate of reaction.
• Specificity: The active site of an enzyme binds to specific substrates, ensuring that only certain reactions are catalyzed.
• Reusability: Enzymes can be used repeatedly for the same reaction.

Step 4: Analysis, Verify and Summarize

• Catalysis and Activation Energy: Enzymes increase reaction rates by lowering the energy barrier.
• Specificity: The enzyme-substrate complex ensures precise catalysis.
• Reusability: Enzymes remain unchanged after the reaction, allowing for continuous catalysis.

Final Answer

Enzymes accelerate chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy, ensuring specificity through their active sites, and remaining unchanged after the reaction, allowing them to be reused.