An enzyme lowers the activation energy of a reaction by
- A. raising the temperature of the substrate
- B. binding the substrate at its active site and stabilising the transition state
- C. supplying energy to the reactants
- D. changing the equilibrium position
Explanation
Binding orients the substrate correctly and strains the bonds that are about to break, offering a lower energy route to the products. The enzyme is regenerated unchanged and does not shift the equilibrium, only the speed at which it is reached. This last point is what separates a catalyst from a reactant.
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