Question

refer to the passage. how does carbonic anhydrase change the reaction between carbon dioxide and water?
the enzyme carbonic anhydrase is a protein that binds to two small molecules: water and carbon dioxide. by holding the two molecules in the proper position, the enzyme allows the two molecules to react to form a product, carbonic acid. the enzyme then releases the product and becomes available to catalyze the same reaction once again.
it increases the total energy released.
it alters the structure of the product.
it decreases the activation energy.
it decreases the total mass of the system.

Explanation:

Enzymes like carbonic anhydrase are catalysts. Catalysts lower the activation - energy of a reaction, allowing it to proceed more readily. They do not change the total energy released, the structure of the product, or the total mass of the system (due to conservation of mass).

Answer:

C. It decreases the activation energy