Q. 16.38 - An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

Question

a. How does an enzyme speed up the reaction of a substrate?

b. After the products have formed, what happens to the enzyme?

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

(Part a)  Molecules can react and form product.

(Part b) The enzyme remains unchanged.

Step 1 : Introduction (Part a)

Enzymes promote chemical reactions by bringing substrates together in the best possible orientation, resulting in an ideal chemical environment for the reaction.

Step 2: Given information (Part a)

An enzyme speed up the reaction  

Step 3: Explanation (Part a)

• An enzyme accelerates a substrate reaction by lowering the activation energy required for the reaction.
• More substrate molecules can react to form product as activation energy decreases.

Step 4: Given information (Part b)

 What happens to the enzyme 

Step 5: Explanation (Part b)

Even after the products have formed, the enzyme remains unchanged.