Question

How are enzymes able to enhance the rate of reaction ?

Answer 1

For any chemical reaction to occur the reactants should possess a minimum amount of energy to proceed with the reaction and form products. This minimum energy required for the reaction to proceed is called the activation energy. Enzymes enhance the rate of the reaction by reducing the activation energy required for the reaction to proceed. As can be seen in the image; in the absence of an enzyme the activation energy required for the reaction to happen (red curve) is more than the the activation energy required for the same reaction to occur in the presence of an enzyme (grey curve)