In: Anatomy and Physiology
do enzymes work by increasing or decreasing activation energy??
Enzymes are large, globular proteins that serve as biological catalysts. Enzymes are proteins that lower the activation energy of a reaction. Enzymes lower the activation energy by forming ES complex. ES is formed through the interaction between enzyme and substrate. Substrates are the reactants for an enzyme reaction and they bind to the active site to form ES. Each interaction releases a small amount of energy to stabilize the complex. These interactions combine to lower the activation energy of the reaction. Formation of the ES complex lowers the activation energy for a catalyzed reaction. In the active site, atoms are brough close together and aligned with amino acid side chains. The active site also aligns the reactants with the optimal orientation for a reaction to occur. The interaction of substrate with the active site weakens bonds between atoms in the substrate so the reaction can form products easier.