Question

question
what is the significance of enzymes in reducing the activation energy?
select the correct answer below:
enzymes in the body can increase reaction rates by factors on the order of millions or billions.
enzymes can decrease the reaction rates by factors on the order of millions or billions.
enzymes require less reactants to be used.
enzymes require more energy for the reaction to take place.

Explanation:

Enzymes are biological catalysts. Catalysts lower the activation energy of a reaction. By reducing the activation energy, enzymes make it easier for reactant molecules to reach the transition state (the state with the highest energy in a reaction pathway). This allows the reaction to occur more readily. A lower activation energy means that at a given temperature, a larger fraction of reactant molecules have enough energy to overcome the energy barrier (activation energy) and convert into products. As a result, the rate of the reaction increases significantly. Enzymes do not decrease reaction rates (so the option "Enzymes can decrease the reaction rates by factors on the order of millions or billions" is wrong). Enzymes do not change the amount of reactants required for a stoichiometric reaction (so "Enzymes require less reactants to be used" is wrong). Enzymes lower the energy barrier (activation energy) for the reaction, they do not require more energy for the reaction to take place (so "Enzymes require more energy for the reaction to take place" is wrong).

Answer:

Enzymes in the body can increase reaction rates by factors on the order of millions or billions.