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Multiple Choice
Which of the following statements best explains the role of enzyme 1 in the catalysis of a biochemical reaction?
A
Enzyme 1 increases the equilibrium constant of the reaction.
B
Enzyme 1 is consumed during the reaction and cannot be reused.
C
Enzyme 1 alters the overall free energy change (9G) of the reaction.
D
Enzyme 1 lowers the activation energy required for the reaction to proceed.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Begin by understanding the role of enzymes in biochemical reactions. Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up reactions without being consumed in the process. They achieve this by lowering the activation energy required for the reaction to proceed.
Step 2: Clarify the concept of activation energy. Activation energy is the minimum energy required for reactants to transform into products. Enzymes provide an alternative reaction pathway with a lower activation energy, making the reaction faster.
Step 3: Address the incorrect statements in the problem. Enzymes do not change the equilibrium constant of a reaction because they do not alter the ratio of reactants to products at equilibrium. They also do not change the overall free energy change (ΔG) of the reaction, as ΔG is a thermodynamic property independent of the reaction pathway.
Step 4: Highlight that enzymes are not consumed during the reaction. They remain unchanged after the reaction and can be reused for subsequent reactions. This is a key characteristic of catalysts.
Step 5: Conclude that the correct explanation is that Enzyme 1 lowers the activation energy required for the reaction to proceed, enabling the reaction to occur more efficiently without altering equilibrium constants or free energy changes.