Question

Which statement best describes how a catalyst can speed up a chemical reaction?

The catalyst decreases the activation energy needed.
The catalyst increases the concentration of products.
The catalyst binds to enzymes to release substrates.
The catalyst increases the concentration of reactants.

Answer 1

The catalyst decreases the activation energy needed.

Whether by altering the enzyme shape, changing chemical reaction pathways, or performing a different action, catalysts decrease the amount of energy needed to make the reaction occur (activation energy).