Question

Activation energy for the acid catalysed hydrolysis of sucrose is 6.22 KJ $mo{l}^{-}$, while the activation energy is only 2.15 KJ $mo{l}^{-}$ when hydrolysis is catalysed by the enzyme sucrase. Explain.

Answer 1

Enzymes, the biocatalysts reduce the magnitude of activation energy by providing alternative path. In the hydrolysis of sucrose, the enzyme sucrase reduces the activation energy from 6.22 KJ $mo{l}^{-}$ to 2.15 KJ $mo{l}^{-}$.