How do enzymes increase the rate of reactions?
- by lowering activation energy
- by increasing activation energy
- by changing equilibrium constant
- by forming enzyme substrate complex.
Answer
(1) by lowering activation energy
Solution
∵ As per NCERT, enzymes are biocatalysts; like any catalyst, an enzyme provides an alternative pathway and reduces the magnitude of the activation energy.
⇒ A larger fraction of molecules can cross the energy barrier, so the rate increases.
A catalyst does not change the equilibrium constant; it only helps equilibrium to be reached faster.
∴ Enzymes increase the rate of reactions by lowering activation energy.
Answer: (1)