AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Enzymes perform the critical task of lowering a reaction’s activation energy-that is, the amount of energy that must be put in for the reaction to begin. Enzymes work by binding to reactant molecules and holding them in such a way that the chemical bond-breaking and bond-forming processes take place more readily.

Detailed explanation-2: -Thus enzymes speed up reactions by lowering activation energy. Many enzymes change shape when substrates bind. This is termed “induced fit", meaning that the precise orientation of the enzyme required for catalytic activity can be induced by the binding of the substrate. Enzymes have active sites.

Detailed explanation-3: -Whereas as an enzyme effects a reaction’s ‘Kinetics’. That is to say, an enzyme will lower a reaction’s activation energy (EA) but it will not necessarily make a reaction happen spontaneously. The presence of an enzyme will, however, make a spontaneous reaction occur faster.

Detailed explanation-4: -How do enzymes weaken the bonds in substances? The enzyme’s shape changes slightly, which strains the bonds inside the substrate. The strain on the bonds weakens them.

Detailed explanation-5: -Desolvation or taking reactants out of the solution state. Establishing weak bonds between the reactants and enzyme. Bringing the reactant molecules closer in the region of the active sites of enzymes. Development of strain in the bonds of the reactants by the electrophilic and nucleophilic attack.