Question

question 3

which is true about enzymes?

they increase the amount of reactant necessary for a chemical reaction to take place.
they decrease the amount of reactant necessary for a chemical reaction to take place.
they decrease the energy required for a chemical reaction to take place.
they increase the energy required for a chemical reaction to take place.

Explanation:

Analyze enzyme function on reactants

Enzymes are biological catalysts. They do not alter the physical amount of reactants (substrates) required to initiate or complete a chemical reaction. Therefore, options suggesting they increase or decrease the amount of reactant are incorrect.

Analyze enzyme function on reaction energy

Catalysts, including enzymes, accelerate chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy barrier. This is the minimum energy required for a chemical reaction to take place.

Evaluate the options

• Option 1: Incorrect. Enzymes do not change the required amount of reactant.
• Option 2: Incorrect. Enzymes do not change the required amount of reactant.
• Option 3: Correct. Enzymes decrease the activation energy required for a reaction to occur.
• Option 4: Incorrect. Enzymes decrease, rather than increase, the required energy.

Answer:

• They increase the amount of reactant necessary for a chemical reaction to take place.
• They decrease the amount of reactant necessary for a chemical reaction to take place.
• They decrease the energy required for a chemical reaction to take place. (Correct answer)
• They increase the energy required for a chemical reaction to take place.