Question

Part A: Explain how Enzyme A acts as a catalyst in the reaction Be sure to include energy and time in your response.






Part B: Conditions around an enzyme change and affect the shape of the enzyme’s active site. Predict how this would affect the enzyme’s ability to catalyze (speed-up) the reaction.

Answer 1

Answer:

A) Enzymes and chemical catalysts both affect the rate but not the equilibrium constant of a chemical reaction. Reactions proceed downhill energetically, in accord with the Second Law of Thermodynamics. Catalysts merely reduce the time that a thermodynamically favored reaction requires to reach equilibrium. Remember that the Second Law of Thermodynamics tells whether a reaction can occur but not how fast it occurs.