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Chapter 6: Problem 28

What is the function of enzymes? a. to increase the \(\Delta G\) of reactions b. to increase the \(\Delta H\) of reactions c. to lower the entropy of the chemicals in the reaction d. to lower the activation energy of a reaction

Short Answer

Expert verified
d. to lower the activation energy of a reaction

Step by step solution

01

Understand the Function of Enzymes

Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up biochemical reactions in the body. They achieve this without being consumed or permanently altered themselves during the process.
02

Define Activation Energy

Activation energy is the minimum amount of energy required for a chemical reaction to occur. Enzymes work by lowering this activation energy, making it easier for the reaction to proceed.
03

Evaluate the Options

a. Increasing the \(\Delta G\) (Gibbs Free Energy) of reactions is incorrect because \(\Delta G\) is a measure of spontaneity, not rate. b. Increasing the \(\Delta H\) (Enthalpy) of reactions is incorrect because \(\Delta H\) represents heat content, not activation energy. c. Lowering the entropy of chemicals in the reaction is not the primary function of enzymes. d. Lowering the activation energy of a reaction is correct, as this describes how enzymes speed up reactions.
04

Select the Correct Answer

Based on the evaluation, the correct function of enzymes is to lower the activation energy of a reaction.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Activation Energy
Activation energy is a crucial concept in understanding how chemical reactions occur. It's the minimum amount of energy needed for reactants to transform into products.
Think of activation energy as a hurdle that reactants must overcome to undergo a reaction. This hurdle can be high or low depending on the nature of the substances.
  • High activation energy makes the reaction slow.
  • Low activation energy speeds up the reaction.
Enzymes play a vital role by lowering this energy barrier. With lower activation energy, reactions can occur more readily. This is like lowering the height of the hurdle, making it easier for reactants to convert to products.
By reducing activation energy, enzymes make biological processes faster and more efficient.
Biological Catalysts
Enzymes are biological molecules that act as catalysts in various biochemical reactions. Catalysts are substances that accelerate chemical reactions without being consumed in the process.
Here's how enzymes work as biological catalysts:
  • They bind to the reactants, known as substrates.
  • They bring substrates closer together, facilitating their interaction.
  • They lower the activation energy needed for the reaction to proceed.
Enzymes are incredibly specific; each enzyme typically catalyzes only one type of reaction or acts on a particular substrate. This specificity is due to the unique shape of the enzyme's active site, where substrates bind.
Because of their efficiency and specificity, enzymes are essential for life. They enable complex chemical reactions to occur at the speed necessary for cells to function smoothly.
Chemical Reactions
Chemical reactions involve the breaking and forming of chemical bonds between atoms. These reactions are fundamental to all biological processes.
Key aspects of chemical reactions include:
  • Reactants: The starting substances that undergo change.
  • Products: The substances formed as a result of the reaction.
  • Catalysts: Substances that speed up the reaction without being used up.
In biological systems, enzymes act as catalysts, making reactions happen faster and more efficiently. Without enzymes, many reactions would be too slow to sustain life.
Chemical reactions can either release energy (exergonic) or absorb energy (endergonic). Enzymes help manage these energy changes, ensuring that biological reactions occur under conditions compatible with life.
By understanding these concepts, it's easier to grasp why enzymes are vital in biology. They lower activation energy, act as biological catalysts, and facilitate essential chemical reactions.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

How does enzyme feedback inhibition benefit a cell? a. Feedback inhibition benefits the cell by blocking the production of the products by changing the configuration of enzymes. This will prevent the cells from becoming toxic. b. Feedback inhibition benefits the cell by blocking the production of the reactants by changing the configuration of enzymes. This will prevent the cells from becoming toxic. c. Feedback inhibition benefits the cell by blocking the production of the products by changing the configuration of reactants. This will prevent the cells from becoming toxic. d. Feedback inhibition benefits the cell by blocking the production of the products by reducing the reactants. This will prevent the cells from becoming toxic.

What part of ATP is broken to release energy for use in chemical reactions? a. the adenosine molecule b. the bond between the first and second phosphates c. the bond between the first phosphate and the adenosine molecule d.the bond between the second and third phosphates

Consider a simple process that illustrates the change in entropy when energy is transferred. 1\. Take a block of ice as a system with a temperature of \(0^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) . This is water as a solid, so it has a high structural order. This means that the molecules are in a fixed position. As a result, the entropy of the system is low. 2\. Allow the ice to melt at room temperature. Describe changes in the motion and interactions of water molecules before and after melting. Explain where the energy came from whose transfer produced melting. Predict the effect of the energy transfer on the entropy on the system, and justify your prediction. 3\. Heat the water until the temperature reaches boiling point. Explain what happens to the entropy of the system when the water is heated. 4\. Continue to heat the water at the constant temperature of the boiling point. Describe changes in the motion and interactions of water molecules before and after boiling. Predict the effect of the energy transfer on the entropy of the system, and justify your prediction. 5\. [Extension/Connection] Molecules of water have simple responses to heating: The molecules move faster and interact less strongly with other neighboring molecules. Consider the primary producers of an aquatic ecosystem in summer. Describe the source of energy transfer to the system of photosynthetic plants and algae. Predict changes in the system in response. Explain what happens to the entropy of this trophic level when energy transfer occurs. Now consider the primary producers and their aqueous environment as the system. Explain what happens to the entropy of this system composed of photosynthetic organisms and their abiotic environment. 6\. Predict the change in entropy of the system when both autotrophs and their abiotic environment are considered. Justify your prediction. Predict the signs of the entropy changes in both biotic and abiotic components of this system. Predict the relative magnitudes of these entropy changes, and justify your prediction.

Which of the following molecules is likely to have the most potential energy? a. A T P b. A D P c. glucose d. sucrose

Explanations in science are often constructed by analogy. Explanations of the behavior of a poorly understood phenomenon can often be constructed by analogy to a phenomenon that is well understood. For each of the following cellular functions that require free energy, describe a parallel human activity and identify a source of free energy for that activity. For example, the synthesis of proteins can be expected to proceed as an assembly of a small set of sub- components, just as the construction of a building is accomplished by gathering and joining materials. It is consistent with our analogy to expect that there must be a free-energy resource that is consumed in the synthesis of proteins, just as hydrocarbon fuels are a source of energy for the construction of a building.
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