Question

Many of the proteins in the human body are enzymes that catalyze chemical reactions. What is the relationship between enzymes and activation energy?

Answer 1

When an enzyme catalyzes a reaction, it decreases the activation energy of the reaction.

Answer 2

Catalysts lower the activation energy for reactions. The lower the activation energy for a reaction, the faster the rate. Thus enzymes speed up reactions by lowering activation energy. Many enzymes change shape when substrates bind.