Question

A scientist discovers a new chemical in the leaves of a rare tropical plant. When trying to determine the role of the chemical, the scientist determined that it is not a structural part of the plant's cells or a pigment that contributes to the color of the plant's leaves. She was able to learn that the chemical sped up a particular chemical reaction involving the plant's metabolism. Based on this information, the new chemical is a (an) ________.

Answer 1

The new chemical is an enzyme.

Step-by-step explanation:

Enzymes are used to speed up some metabolic reactions by lowering the activation energy needed to do so. When the activation energy is lowered, the reaction happens faster and therefore more efficiently. Enzymes occur in almost every living organism. They're proteins and are usually specific for one reaction.