Fundamentals of Biochemistry: Life at the Molecular Level
Fundamentals of Biochemistry: Life at the Molecular Level
5th Edition
ISBN: 9781118918463
Author: Voet
Publisher: WILEY
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Chapter 11, Problem 1E
Summary Introduction

Concept introduction: Enzymes are the biocatalyst that accelerate the chemical reactions. These are protein molecules that speed up the reaction. Enzymes act on the substrate molecule and convert into product. These are specific in nature in which they act on its substrates.

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Answer to Problem 1E

Correct answer: The best description for enzyme is: It increases the rate at which a chemical reaction approaches the equilibrium relative to its uncatalyzed rate. Hence, option b. is the correct answer.

Explanation of Solution

Reason for the correct statement:

Option b. is given as, “It increases the rate at which a chemical reaction approaches equilibrium relative to its catalyzed rate”. If  the activation energy is low, the rate will be faster. Enzymes speed up the reactions by lowering the activation energy. However, the reaction reaches the equilibrium much faster when the enzyme is present as the rate of the reaction is increased. Hence, option b. is the correct answer.

Reasons for the incorrect statements:

Option a. is given as, “It allows a chemical reaction to proceed extremely fast”. The factors that deal with the rate of chemical reaction that proceeds the reaction faster is called the chemical kinetics. Thus, the given statement is not a description of enzyme. Hence, option a. is incorrect.

Option c. is given as, “It makes a reaction thermodynamically favorable”. The reaction will be thermodynamically stable due to the reaction that occurs spontaneously, without the need for energy to be added. Therefore, the given statement explains that kinetics is related to reactivity. Hence, option c. is incorrect.

Conclusion

Conclusion: Enzymes increase the rate at which a chemical reaction approaches equilibrium relative to its catalyzed rate.

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Fundamentals of Biochemistry: Life at the Molecular Level

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